CREATING YOUR FUTURE IDEAL SELF

Your ideal self is essentially a greater future version of "you" that encompasses your desires, dreams, beliefs, values, and behaviors. Your ideal self is who you want to become, it's the best version of yourself in every area of life.

This ideal self is not perfection; it is not a fixed destination. There is no getting "there". This ideal self is constantly evolving and changing. It is part of human nature to have the desire to continuously evolve and improve yourself and your life

Many small changes over a period of time will lead to big changes, getting you closer and closer to the vision you have for yourself.

The human brain fears change. It fears the unknown. What many people relate to as self-sabotage is actually misguided self-protection. Your conscious mind wants to change, to grow and expand. Your unconscious brain (your survival brain) wants to remain safe, stay alive. This means avoiding change at all costs. This part of you believes comfort = safety.

If you have been overweight, or have struggled with food/weight your whole life then letting that go could be very threatening to your survival brain. This can lead to self-sabotaging behaviors. Have you ever wanted something deeply, and felt frustrated that your choices suggested quite the opposite? That is your survival
brain trying to keep you safe. Change = danger to this part of you.

To truly make changes in your life, you have to appease your survival brain. When you have a clear vision of where you are going, your brain feels safe to proceed on the journey and will then take the actions in alignment with that vision.

It's actually the journey towards becoming that person that will bring you fulfillment. It's not the destination, but rather the steps you take to get to there that makes life fulfilling, exciting and fun

Step one of this process is to get clear on who you want to become. Who is your ideal future self?

Start by selecting a future time period (ex. 6 months, 1 year, 3 years from now) and imagine that at that time you are expressing your ideal self. Visualize what your life looks like and feels like.

What are you doing? Who are you with? Where do you live? How does life feel? What qualities are you embodying?

Write out your ideal self-story in the present tense. Describe all the tiny details. Let all limitations or doubts go and allow yourself to dream big.

Make sure you include all areas of life: career/purpose, family, love, relationships, finances, fun/creativity, health and well-being

Imagine yourself doing what you want to do, the thing(s) you have been putting off and avoiding. Imagine yourself making the new choices as if in the present moment. Include both the actions and the characteristics: the doing and the BEing. Who do have to be? What do you have to do? Example: starting a new business, writing a book, engaged and enjoying exercise, having fun dating, being
part of a social community, having a family.

Ensure you have a very clear and complete picture of your ideal self, and what life looks AND feel like as she/he

I am …
I choose to …
I feel great about …
I wake up feeling … about my life because …
I feel really good about …

Next step is to make what you want familiar. You need to train your mind and body to get comfortable with what you want. Be clear with your brain. Tell your brain what you want, and how great you feel about it.

Start asking yourself, what would my ideal self Do? Say? Eat? Choose? Think?

Spend time everyday visualizing and feeling your ideal self in the present. Repetition is important. You want to make your vision familiar, and therefore safe. Set reminders. Add it to your daily routine. You are in a sense, acting as if. Have fun with this!