How to Quit Bad Habits Through the Simulated Future

Your mind is a simulation machine, and if used correctly can help you quit bad habits. Simulating the future of an outcome we don't want can help us associate pain with not changing our behaviors. Pain can be a positive tool that can be used to help us improve our lives if done correctly. I'd like to walk you through this exercise now. To get the most out of this exercise, it's best to ponder each question deeply when I ask it. Let's begin.

I want you to imagine your life one day from now... and you still haven't achieved any of the goals you have set for yourself... you still haven't quit any of your bad habits or developed new positive ones—how do you feel?

Imagine yourself one week from now. You still haven't reached any of your goals let alone milestones. You haven’t taken action or quit the self-destructive habits that you keep saying you're going to. What do you feel like inside one week from now?

I want you to imagine yourself one whole month from now… still, you have not achieved any of your goals, you haven't changed any of your bad habits, or even implemented any new ones that you know are beneficial to you. I want you to ask yourself how that would feel one month from today if you're still doing the same things you’ve been doing over the years that you know don’t get you closer to where you want to be in life. How would you feel inside?

I want you to close your eyes and deeply imagine yourself one year from today… an entire year from today, and you still haven't taken action. It still "wasn't time" to change your habits, to achieve your goals. You've been procrastinating. Are you happy? Are you still satisfied with how you spend your time? Are you enjoying life?

How many years have already passed that you haven't lived up to your highest potential, changed bad habits, changed your environment. How much time has gone by where you haven’t done what you knew you had to do in order to live a fulfilling life?

Now you can take this exercise as far into the future as you want, and I recommend you do. Imagine yourself 5 years, 10 years, 20 years from now. Sit with yourself and think through this life. 30 years from now you'll be old. Are you happy with yourself?

Time doesn't stop, my friend. Today is the only day that matters. The present is where the past and the future meet. We only have right now, and tomorrow isn't even real yet, let alone a guarantee. The past is long gone and it only lives in your memory now. The past version of you no longer exists. All you have is right now and no matter where you are in life, that's where you'll be.

After reading this, I want you to close your eyes again... imagine yourself tomorrow. Except in this version, imagine that you took action and you tried to implement a new habit. You write a list for yourself today and you manage to check everything off. You wake up tomorrow, knowing you achieved everything you set out to do yesterday. How are you feeling? Do you feel good and are you satisfied with yourself?

I want you imagine yourself a week from now. You've been consistently going strong every day, you've managed to check off everything on your to-do list, you've avoided junk food, you've exercised, you studied, and you've been learning that skill you’ve wanted to learn. You have been implementing new strategies that will help you get to where you want to be. How would you feel one week from now? Are you feeling strong, confident, and certain of yourself?

I would like you to imagine yourself one month from today and you still haven't missed a day of going after your goals. You have been exercising and studying every day. You keep checking off that to-do list of things that you know are getting you closer to achieving your dreams and reaching your Highest Potential. You’re diligent and committed. How do you feel? Are you satisfied and are you feeling a sense of fulfillment in this way of being?

Now imagine yourself one year from now… you consistently have been trying your hardest at everything you do. Everyday is a day you do not waste. Time is not wasted by you, because know it's your most valuable asset. You’ve changed your habits to positive ones and you've grown in ways that inspire others. Perhaps you make more money a year from now or your body has transformed. You feel stronger and healthier than ever before. People start to take notice of these things about you. What kind of people are you now attracting into your life?

Is this positive version of you influencing the people around you? I think that no matter which path you go down, whether you change or you do not change, negative or positive, you're going to influence those around you in one way or another. You can choose to be the positive influence in the lives of others by striving to reach your highest potential. Making yourself better is the highest service you can offer this world. Do not rob the world of your potential.

I read somewhere that we are the average of the five people we surround ourself with most. In order to change, if that's the path you choose. Change, it’s your responsibility. Help influence those around you and find others to help you rise so you can continue to grow.

Do you hang out with people that are no longer helping you improve? Move on. Your life is yours and doesn't belong to anyone except you. If you're in an unhealthy relationship, move on. If you’re still in a job you hate, move on. If you're not taking good care of your body, it's time to change your habits.

In order to get what we want, we must first deserve what we want. Put in the time, put in the effort, put in the energy it takes! Make a list and start checking shit off! Go to bed a little smarter, wiser and stronger everyday.

Alright my friends, I hope this article helped. Thanks for reading and leave a comment letting me know you’re ready to take the path towards self-improvement.