Define your future selves, then choose wisely
Now you know where you are currently standing. You described your current self in measurable terms and you were as honest with yourself as possible.
Now it is time to look ahead.
Most people spend surprisingly little time thinking about their future.
They assume things will somehow work themselves out.
They assume they will eventually become healthier.
Eventually make more money. Eventually get their life together. Eventually become happy.
But “eventually” is not a plan.
The future is not something that somehow magically happens to you.
It is something you are building right now through your actions.
Whether you realize it or not.
Endless Possible Futures
Think about yourself ten years from now. Not one version of yourself, several versions.
One version exercised consistently, one version never exercised at all.
One version learned new skills every year, other one stopped learning completely.
One version invested money responsibly, one version spent everything it earned.
One version maintained relationships. One version neglected them.
Those future versions of you are all possible. The question is:
Which one are you currently moving toward?
Every decision pushes you slightly closer to one future and slightly further away from another.
One tiny step at a time.
Heaven
If you happen to put in all the work you realistically could, how would your life look like?
And I do not mean illusionary perfection that both of us know can never happen.
It is not becoming a billionaire.
It is not becoming famous.
It is not becoming superhuman.
I mean simply the best realistic version of your life that you can currently imagine, if you really tried.
What does your health look like?
What does your social life look like?
What kind of work do you do?
How do you spend your free time?
How do you feel when you wake up in the morning?
That is what I call your Heaven.
Or more precisely, the Heaven version of you. Something that could realistically happen for you if you put in the effort.
Not some unachievable fantasy, but a reality that you could genuinely create.
The goal is not accuracy.
The goal is direction.
Hell
Now think about the other side of the coin.
How would your life look like if you did not try at all?
Would you enjoy that future?
Because here is the thing:
Most people enjoy thinking about Heaven, but very few enjoy thinking about Hell.
But Hell is equally important.
Because actions have consequences.
And so does inaction.
What happens if nothing changes?
What happens if you continue making poor decisions?
What happens if you neglect your health, ignore finances, avoid difficult conversations…
…You name it.
Where does that road lead?
The purpose is not fear, but awareness.
Every road leads somewhere, even the roads you never consciously chose.
Why This Matters
Most people have never clearly defined either future.
That is why they drift.
They know they want something better.
But they do not know what better looks like and they never think seriously about the cost of staying the same.
Heaven gives you something to move toward.
Hell reminds you of something to get away from.
Together, they create direction.
Both are equally important.
Action Step
Open your Vision document and update it:
(if you do not have it, create your own, or get the copy from Resources page)
For each dimension of life, describe two futures:
Your Heaven and your Hell.
Think about how your life could realistically look one year from now.
Do not worry about being perfect.
Just write honestly.
One of those futures will become more real than the other.
Choice is yours.