180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

Author: Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart January 23, 2025 Duration: 21:59

Why creating happiness in the future starts today.


The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, and more meaningful choices.

In pursuing happiness and well-being, we often focus on the present moment. But according to Hal Hershfield, one of the best ways to help ourselves today is to have a conversation with ourselves in the future.

"When I say future self, I really mean any version of us that exists at some later point in time," explains Hershfield, a UCLA professor and author of Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today. By thinking of our future selves as different people — ones we should care about — we can make better choices in the present. "If we can tap into the feelings of our future selves, then we can do more that benefits them, which may make our lives easier now and later."

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Hershfield and host Matt Abrahams explore how communication between our present and future selves can help us set goals, make decisions, and overcome pitfalls like procrastination, enabling us to take meaningful action now so we can thrive today and tomorrow.


This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/ThinkFast and get ten percent off your first month.

Episode Reference Links:

Connect:


Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (02:12) - What Is a Future Self?
  • (03:37) - Mistakes in Time Travel Thinking
  • (04:45) - Overcoming Procrastination
  • (07:16) - Connecting to Our Future Selves
  • (10:35) - Disappointment and Adjusting Goals
  • (12:14) - Goal Setting and Motivation
  • (15:02) - Public Accountability for Motivation
  • (16:04) - The Final Three Questions
  • (20:35) - Conclusion

********
Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

Take advantage of our Sponsor offer from BetterHelp


Ever find yourself scrambling for the right words in a high-stakes meeting or struggling to get your point across clearly? That’s the territory Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques explores. Hosted by Matt Abrahams, a Stanford lecturer and author who understands the real-world pressure of thinking on your feet, this podcast digs into the mechanics of how we connect and convey ideas. Each episode features conversations with specialists across various fields, moving beyond theory to deliver concrete methods you can use immediately. Whether it’s navigating a difficult conversation, structuring a persuasive pitch, or simply becoming a more engaged listener, Matt focuses on the tactical skills that build confidence. The discussions are grounded in his professional experience and academic background, offering a blend of research and relatable application. You’ll hear specific techniques for organizing your thoughts under pressure, using storytelling to make data memorable, and adjusting your communication style for different audiences. This isn’t about abstract concepts; it’s a resource for anyone who needs to influence, lead, or collaborate more effectively in their career and daily interactions. Tune in to this practical podcast for a regular dose of insights that aim to make your communication more intentional and impactful, one conversation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 284

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
Podcast Episodes
177. Don’t Resolve, Evolve: Top 10 Lessons For 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:24
Ten essential communication strategies designed to elevate your skills.2024 has been an incredible year for learning and growth, and as we head into 2025, there’s no better time to reflect on the skills and strategies th…
176. From Stereotypes to Synergy: Communicating Across Generations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:59
Age diversity and cross-generational synergy can transform an organization.Most of us know age diversity matters in the workplace. But according to UCLA’s Bob McCann, we're thinking about it all wrong: it's not just abou…
Ask Matt Anything (AMA) 1: Trust, Paraphrasing, and Nonverbal Cues [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:33
Enjoy this preview of our first Ask Matt Anything (AMA).We are excited to introduce this special edition of Think Fast, Talk Smart, featuring a preview of our first-ever Ask Matt Anything (AMA) episode. Typically, these…
175. Mastering Toasts and Tributes: Making Your Words Count [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:49
Crafting impactful toasts for every occasion."Almost reflexively, most of us focus in the moment on how others are perceiving us, yet these situations aren't about us at all." Matt Abrahams, host of Think Fast, Talk Smar…
174. Fix Meetings: Transform Gatherings Into Meaningful Moments [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:50
Turn any meeting or get-together into a chance for deep connection and collaboration.Whether you’re holding a team meeting or hosting a family get-together, the success of any gathering, says Priya Parker, isn’t about th…
173. Rethinks: Surviving the Holidays [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:05
Master holiday conversations.The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and, occasionally, communication challenges and as we gather with family, friends, and colleagues, effective communication becomes crucial. To…
172. Bring Mindfulness to Your Communication [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:40
Mindfulness can transform your communication and your career.When we react, our instincts and impulses are in the driver’s seat. But when we take the time to reflect, that’s when Marshall Goldsmith says we take back cont…
171. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:45
Make your audience a part of the story.Great storytellers don't just relay information — they create experiences. As magicians, TikTok influencers, and stand-up comedians, these masters of engagement know that true conne…
170. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:55
Wisdom from the witness stand to the newsstand.The best storytellers might not call themselves storytellers at all. But from litigating in the courtroom to crafting newspaper cartoons, these experts know how to weave nar…