Ten years ago this week, I was graduating from my MBA program. As part of the experience, we wrote a message to ourselves that would be delivered a decade later. The message I just received from my 2016-self read: "Keep going for more, but remember to love what you already have."

I'm kind of surprised about what I decided to tell myself. It's like a message from a younger yet sort of wiser version of myself reminding me that ambition and appreciation don't have to be enemies. In fact, the more I reflect on it, the more I believe that message comes from someone who actually knows me pretty well (oh, the irony).

I believe there's tremendous value in creating intentional reminders about what truly matters. This week, I'd like to convince you to build one for yourself.

Tip of the Week: Write a message to yourself 10 years from now. Not about what you hope to achieve, but about what you hope you never forget.

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The Theory Behind

Our future self influences our present behavior. Psychologists call this future self-continuity: the degree to which we feel connected to the person we'll become. Research suggests that when we can clearly imagine our future selves, we're more likely to make decisions that benefit us in the long run. Writing a letter to your future self ends up being more than a reflective exercise, it can actually become a system for aligning today's actions with tomorrow's aspirations. In many ways, it's a conversation across time.

The problem is that achievement quickly becomes normal. Psychologists refer to this as hedonic adaptation, and it's closely related to what many call the arrival fallacy: the belief that happiness awaits us at the next milestone. We tell ourselves we'll feel fulfilled once we earn the degree, get the promotion, buy the house, or launch the business. Yet when we arrive, the finish line moves. Jim Carrey once said he wished everyone could become rich and famous and get everything they ever dreamed of, so they could see that it isn't the answer. Ambition is powerful, but it rarely provides lasting satisfaction by itself. The younger version of us would often be amazed by the life we've built, while the current version is already focused on the next goal. We need to be constantly reminded of this.

Growth thrives when we view ourselves as a work in progress. Psychologist Carol Dweck's concept of the growth mindset teaches us that our abilities and potential aren't fixed, and that they can be developed over time through effort, learning, and experience. Matthew McConaughey captured a similar idea when he described his hero as himself ten years in the future. Every decade, that hero remains ten years away. The point isn't to finally become that person; it's to continue evolving toward them. The challenge is learning to pursue that horizon without becoming so focused on who we're becoming that we forget to appreciate who we already are. (seriously, if you haven't watched McConaughey's Oscar's speech, stop everything and do it now)

What I’ve Learned

The older I get, the more I appreciate the power of writing to ourselves. Journaling, reflection, annual reviews, and future-self letters are all variations of the same idea: creating intentional conversations with who we are and who we're becoming. Looking back at this letter, I realized something unexpected. If I could show my 2016 self my life today, he would probably be super excited. Most of the things I hoped for, actually happened. And yet, like many ambitious people, I don't walk around feeling "accomplished." That's the paradox. The younger version of me would likely be amazed by the life I've built, while the current version is already thinking about what's next. Reflecting on that made me appreciate the message even more. It wasn't encouraging me to lower my ambitions. It was reminding me not to forget to enjoy what I already had while pursuing what came next.

So what message should I send to myself for the next ten years? Well, in ten years, I'll be entering my fifties. My oldest son will likely be heading off to college (but who knows, right?). The little boys running around my house today will be young men. The next decade will probably fly by like the last one did. So I decided that my message to myself in 10 years will now be a question:

2016: Keep going for more, but remember to love what you already have.

2026: Are you truly enjoying the life you are working so hard to build?

Make It Happen

1. Choose your time horizon. Decide whether you're writing to yourself 5 or 10 years from now. Pick a specific date and imagine where you might be in life when you read it.

2. Start by taking inventory of today. Before writing about the future, write down what matters most right now: your family, career, friendships, health, hobbies, or anything else you don't want to take for granted.

3. Ask yourself three questions. What do I hope I've accomplished? What do I hope I haven't lost? What do I hope I remember?

4. Write about principles, not predictions. Avoid trying to guess exactly what your life will look like. Instead, focus on the values and reminders that should remain true regardless of what happens.

5. Schedule the delivery before you forget. Use a future-email service, calendar reminder, or even a physical letter. Make sure you remember to get this!

6. Repeat the exercise periodically. Every few years, write another letter. Over time, you'll create a record not just of what you've achieved, but of how your priorities, values, and definition of success evolve.
   

Say hello to yourself.

Futurely yours,

Jorge Luis Pando

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