1. Introduction
1.1. What would you do differently if you knew you were going to die tomorrow?
1.2. When you look back before you say goodbye, what will you regret if you don’t make changes now?
1.3. Whatever the action, it would likely bring you closer to your authentic self.
1.4. On their deathbed, most people wish they would have had the courage to live a life true to themselves instead of trying to please others
1.5. Reflecting on death can be instructive for improving yourself in the present.
2. The Power of Future-Thinking
2.1. Creating a compelling vision for your future can radically transform your happiness and success.
2.2. People who consciously contemplate the future are less emotionally exhausted and more motivated.
2.3. This type of thinking, called “goal-directed prospection,” leads to greater goal achievement
2.4. Intentionally envisioning your future has a threefold function
2.4.1. It inspires you to create detailed, realistic steps for planning to reach your goals.
2.4.2. It causes you to reorganize your life so you can devote time and inner resources to your desires
2.4.3. It helps you overcome myopic, short-term thinking to make better long-term decisions.
3. How to Discover Your “Best Possible Self”
3.1. Pick a time frame in the future.
3.1.1. Narrow in on a date six months to two years from today.
3.2. Picture yourself at your best.
3.2.1. Imagine everything has turned out as good as possible.
3.3. See it and feel it deeply.
3.3.1. Describe your future life in vivid detail.
3.3.2. Write for 10 to 20 minutes, scripting a story for your future as if you were writing a personal diary.
3.4. Think about how to apply your strengths.
3.4.1. This visualization is most effective when it’s specific
3.4.2. As you contemplate your ideal future, pay attention to the personal strengths you’re utilizing.
4. Design a Better Life
4.1. Picture three very different plans for your future:
4.1.1. Your first plan, Life One, should expand on what would happen if you stayed on your current path.
4.1.2. For Life Two, imagine how your life would be different if your current path were no longer an option.
4.1.3. In Life Three, allow yourself to dream about what you would do if money or other people’s judgements didn’t matter.