Write an essay on one'sfuture selfis less about "learning new habits" but more about "establishing credibility" so that your goals "become part of your identity, your investment so enormous, that you dare not let it slip away." He also credits people "who more strongly identify with their future selves [at being] better at self-control." His claim is echoed by psychologist Hal Hershfield, who says that "being able to step into the shoes of our future selves is akin to being able to realize both the positive and the negative ramifications of our decisions."

In this final essay, I'd like you to imagine what your future self will need to do to begin this process of becoming. Here is a possible outline of what you will need to include in your essay.

Introduction:Present your vision for your future self. This can be a modest goal that you have for yourself in the next ten years. Something that is not too pie-in-the-sky or impractical but rather realistic. That is not to say that you cannot aim high but be sure your vision is within the scope of your abilities.

Body of Essay:What sorts of daily "bundling" will need to happen to make this vision real? You'll want to think about the various ways in which your daily routines will enable you to "dispel the fog of self-doubt and develop confidence in your own future behavior." Here, you'll want to discuss the "algorithms" you need to "replace the downward spiral of self-fulfilling self-doubt with an upward spiral of self-trust." In other words, how do you motivate your desire for your future self?

Conclusion:What are some of the ways in which your plan could derail? How will your thinking need to change to ensure that you realize this future self?