6 steps to sabotage your future self
From my experience with people I’ve noticed that some tend to be more likely to do the opposite of what’s advised, so in this article, I will share a few practical steps on how to sabotage your future self.
You’ve probably noticed in the past that you’ve engaged in behaviours which placed you in a very bad space so today we will explore exactly how to replicate that successfully.
Avoid setting any goals.
Setting goals is the only behaviour that will make you fail in some dimension of analysis. You literally cannot fail if you are completely aimless so the best thing you can do is to ensure you don’t set up any goals whatsoever.
Furthermore, it is well-known that ignorance is a clear path to happiness. If you look around you will realise that only the people who have targets are disappointed in themselves.
If something happens that seems slightly concerning, just look the other way and everything will be fine. That seems to be working really well for an ostrich when attached by a lion. Sticking your head in the sand will make all the problems disappear.
Seek short-term gratifications
If you are from the YOLO generation, you know what I’m talking about. Life is short and you need to look for immediate pleasure as you don’t know how long you have to live.
Alcohol, tobacco and drugs are a good start for that. Find the thing that gives you the most rapid form of pleasure and delight yourself in the gratification generated by it. Do not worry about the long-term consequences, that is a problem for the “future you”. I sure don’t envy that guy.
Stay in your comfort zone
Venturing out of your comfort zone is overrated. Why bother experiencing new things or challenging yourself when you can stay snug and secure in your familiar surroundings?
Avoid any activities that make you uncomfortable or require you to grow. Whether it’s a new job opportunity, travelling to a new country, or learning a new skill, just say no. Stick with what you know, even if it means missing out on incredible experiences and personal growth. In the future, you will thank you for all the lost opportunities.
Procrastinate as Much as Possible
Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? Procrastination is a surefire way to ensure that you never reach your full potential.
Let deadlines pass and allow tasks to pile up. The stress and anxiety that come with last-minute scrambles are great for maintaining a chaotic and unproductive lifestyle. Plus, you’ll get the added bonus of disappointing others and damaging your reputation. Win-win!
Refuse to Learn New Skills
Why improve when you can stay mediocre? Learning new skills requires effort, time, and sometimes even money—all of which could be better spent on immediate pleasures.
Avoid workshops, online courses, and any form of professional development. Stick with what you know and make sure you never become more valuable or adaptable in the job market. This will ensure that you remain in the same position, never advancing or achieving anything new.
Ignore Health and Wellness
Who needs a healthy body when you have deadlines? Prioritise work over sleep, exercise, and a balanced diet. Skip meals, indulge in junk food, and make caffeine your best friend.
Neglecting your physical and mental health is a fantastic way to ensure the future is miserable. Chronic illnesses, burnout, and mental health issues are just around the corner if you continue down this path. But hey, at least you’re getting work done, right?
Conclusion
Sounds like a terrible piece of advice to give to anyone, right? In that case, make sure you NOT listen to it properly.
The best investment you can ever make is in your future self so the best thing you can do in the present is to delay gratification as much as possible. Think about your future as a person you want to be as happy as possible because soon enough you will become that person.
There is you now, but there is also you tomorrow (the version who will probably be hungover), there is you in 2 weeks and also you in one year. Live your life in a manner that your future selves will thank you for everything you did for them.
Live in the present but for the future.