This week I have been catching up with recent episodes of Todd Henry’s Accidental Creative Podcast. One particular episode (this one: Accidental Creative Podcast) resonated with me more than most, highlighting the idea that many of the things that we do now are either stealing from our future self or gifting something to our future self. For example, if we procrastinate now while we are supposed to be doing something else (or at least trying to do something else) then we are stealing time from our future self because the task will have to be done sometime if it is not done now. Or, if we exercise now we are gifting a stronger/fitter body to our future self. The thing that might be stolen could be time, money, energy, health etc. and the thing that might be gifted could be confidence, resilience, courage, money, time, strength etc. This is an obvious idea, but like many obvious ideas, it is really handy to have a simple and memorable way to be reminded of it.
When this idea is combined with the knowledge that the way our brains relate to our future self is much the same as the way that they relate to a complete stranger, it becomes particularly powerful and important to remember it. This means that our default tendency tends to be to take the easiest, most comfortable, most straightforward approach to the present moment. But if we do this then we run a huge risk that we will become a thief or miss out on an opportunity to give a gift. I don’t think anyone would choose to be a thief (in an ideal world at least) and I am certain that all of us like to receive gifts. So, I am now trying to catch myself as often as I can and ask myself am I stealing or am I giving? Simple.
Tim O'Hare 