Guiding Principles for a Good Life: Ask Your 100-Year-Old Self

~ Marie

What would your 100-year-old self say about the choices you’re making today? Influential authors like Matthew Dicks encourage us to gain perspective by consulting our future selves. This reflective practice can guide us to make decisions that favor lasting fulfillment over fleeting pleasures.

In this new addition to the “Guiding Principles for a Good Life” series, I’ll show you how asking your 100-year-old self can become a powerful tool for prioritizing your goals and ensuring you lead a meaningful life. Curious to find out how? Keep reading!

How To Ask Your 100-Year-Old Self?

This isn’t a lengthy process—it’s just a moment of reflection. When faced with a decision take a brief pause and consider what your 100-year-old self would advise. For example, if you’re deciding between starting a new creative project or watching the latest TV show, think about which choice will matter more in the long run. This minute of reflection helps ensure your choices align with your long-term values and goals.

Benefits of Asking Your 100-Year-Old Self

This quick reflection exercise can have profound benefits on your decision-making process:

  • Clarifies Priorities: Assists in determining what truly matters to you in the long run.
  • Encourages Personal Growth: Helps you make choices that contribute to your growth and self-improvement.
  • Promotes Intentional Living: Allows you to live in accordance with who you intentionally choose to be, aligning daily actions with your desired self.
  • Enhances Life Satisfaction: Leads to decisions that increase overall happiness and life satisfaction by focusing on what is genuinely important.

This simple practice can help you lead a more purposeful life, filled with fewer regrets and more meaningful experiences.

Your 100-Year-Old Self in Creative Life

Creative pursuits are essential for a fulfilling life, offering a sense of accomplishment, self-growth, and the thrill of making something unique. Whether it’s writing a book, crafting a new recipe, or learning a musical instrument, these activities allow you to express yourself and leave a meaningful legacy. By asking your 100-year-old self what they would prioritize, you can ensure that these creative endeavors don’t fall by the wayside.

I’ve written before about the transformative power of creativity—take a look at those articles for more inspiration!

Potential Challenges to Your 100-Year-Old Self’s Advice

While using this reflective technique can lead to more meaningful decisions, there are some challenges to consider:

  • Risk of Burnout: Always focusing on long-term goals can lead to stress and burnout if you don’t allow time for relaxation and self-care.
  • Overthinking Decisions: Excessive reflection might cause indecisiveness, making it hard to take action.
  • Balance Between Present and Future Needs: It’s important to balance immediate enjoyment with future goals to maintain a well-rounded and satisfying life.

Like any principle, mastering the balance between long-term planning and present enjoyment takes practice. With time, you’ll learn to apply this approach in a way that enhances your life without overwhelming it.

Conclusion

Asking your 100-year-old self for guidance can lead to a more meaningful and intentional life. But it’s not enough to just read about these principles; you need to put them into practice. To integrate this principle into my daily routine, I’ll set random timers over the next few days to pause and evaluate if my actions align with my long-term values. I invite you to try this too and share your results in the comments!

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Banner Photo By: Travis Essinger

Previous Installments of “Guiding Principles for a Good Life”-Series

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