A Different Tomorrow: Recognising Our Future Selves
Research reveals that our tastes, values, and personalities evolve significantly over time. However, our ability to anticipate these changes is often hindered by the "end of history illusion"—a psychological phenomenon where we perceive our current selves as final. Failing to comprehend this illusion can lead to significant challenges in our decision-making, particularly in major life choices.
In 2007, I featured in the business section of The Scotsman, a Scottish newspaper, as part of a Question & Answer profile in my new role as marketing manager for Dell Technologies in Scotland. When asked, “Which band would you like to play in?”, I responded, Kings of Leon. Though they were a band I listened to a lot at the time, I can’t remember the last time I listened to them. If asked that question again today, there would be a hundred bands ahead of them.
Change is the only constant in life. Our preferences shift significantly over the years. A favorite holiday spot a decade ago may have lost its charm today. A tattoo acquired by your teenage self might seem like an unwelcome decision in later adulthood. But it’s not just a matter of changing tastes. Our values and personalities also evolve considerably over time. However, we are poor forecasters of these important shifts. This shortcoming stems from the “end of history illusion”, a psychological tendency to believe that who we are now is who we will be for the rest of our lives. Without understanding and addressing this illusion, we may face significant hurdles in our decision-making processes, particularly in major life choices.
From poet to punk
Patti Smith, hailed as the “godmother of punk”, initially dreamt of becoming a poet. She even moved to New York City in her early twenties to immerse herself in the flourishing poetry scene. Yet, the shy, bookish girl she was then contrasts starkly with the outspoken, influential figure she would later become in the music industry. In her memoir, Just Kids, Smith reflects on her unexpected personal transformation, making it clear she hadn’t anticipated the enormous shifts her life and identity would take.
We can’t always predict how our future selves will evolve. Harvard psychologist Dan Gilbert notes that “Human beings are works in progress that mistakenly think they’re finished.” A co-author of the influential study, “The End of History Illusion”, Gilbert and his colleagues surveyed over 19,000 people ranging in age from 18 to 68. The study found considerable changes in people’s tastes, values, and behaviours throughout their lives, with all age groups underestimating the extent of their future changes. Hence the term “end of history illusion”.
The transformative power of time
In a TED Talk following his research, Gilbert asked a critical question, “Why do we make decisions that our future selves often regret?” His answer? A fundamental misconception about the power of time.
“Time transforms our preferences, reshapes our values, and alters our personalities,” Gilbert explained. We seem to appreciate this fact, but only when we look back. When we assess our present selves, we have a natural tendency to believe the person we are today will be the same person tomorrow. We view ourselves as stable and unchanging. We think the present is a watershed, the moment we finally become ourselves. But the person you are now is as fleeting as all the people you’ve ever been.
Underpinning this illusion is our ability to recognise the dramatic changes we’ve experienced in the past, as our past is a matter of record. Reflect on the last ten or twenty years of your life—your family dynamics, career trajectory, evolving friendships, and personal accomplishments. The difference—and growth—between your past and current self is clear. However, when thinking about the future, we often project our present self into the future, failing to account for the transformations that further time, experience, and circumstances will likely bring about.
Underestimating future changes can impact growth and wellbeing
Underestimating future changes in our personalities, goals, and desires can be problematic. We often make decisions for our future selves based on our present self, which can lead to regret when our future selves disapprove of the choices made by our past selves. This tendency affects us in two significant ways.
If we consider our current selves as the ‘final product’, we may limit opportunities for personal growth and development. This perspective can make us resistant to change and less open to new experiences that could foster personal growth.
The illusion can widen the psychological distance between our present and future selves. Studies show we tend to care less about our future selves because we perceive them as somewhat alien. This perception can lead to behaviours that disregard our future wellbeing, such as neglecting health or financial planning for the future.
The importance of other perspectives
Our perceptions of ourselves are not always accurate, and external perspectives can provide valuable insights. When Stephen King wrote what would become his first published novel, Carrie, he was struggling with self-doubt. He threw away the initial pages of the manuscript, convinced it was a failure. It was his wife, Tabitha, who rescued the discarded pages and urged him to continue. Despite his reservations, King pressed on, inspired by her faith in his abilities. Carrie became a massive success, launching King’s celebrated career as a master storyteller.
King’s story illustrates the “end of history illusion” in two ways. First, his initial skepticism about the book’s potential success shows his inability to envision the growth and success that awaited his future self. Second, his wife’s encouragement highlights the importance of external perspectives in helping us see the possibilities for future change. While King saw a continuation of his struggles, Tabitha saw a different future, one where King’s talent would be recognised and celebrated.
Strategies for navigating the future
As dynamic and evolving beings, our experiences and circumstances constantly shape our identities. With this in mind, here are five practical strategies that can help you prepare for your future self more effectively.
Embrace Lifelong Learning: Maintain a curious and open-minded attitude. By consistently expanding your knowledge and skills—through reading, courses, or engaging in thought-provoking conversations and contemplations—you enhance your ability to make yourself available to new possibilities.
Set Flexible Goals: While a clear vision for your future can be useful, remember that goals should evolve as you do. Aim for goals that allow for flexibility and can adapt as your values, preferences, and circumstances change.
Practice Mindfulness: Engaging fully in the present moment enhances your awareness of your current needs and values, guiding your future-oriented decisions more effectively. For an insightful and accessible exploration of mindfulness, consider reading Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Wherever You Go, There You Are.
Consider Future Consequences: Develop a long-term thinking habit. When making decisions, evaluate their potential impacts on your future self. This isn't about perfect prediction but nurturing a habit of contemplating potential future scenarios.
Cultivate Resilience: Strengthening your capacity to cope with adversity enables you to better deal with uncertain futures. Build resilience through maintaining a positive outlook and reframing, building strong social connections, and seeking professional help when needed.
These strategies encourage you to acknowledge the limitations of your current understanding and to foster a flexible and growth-oriented mindset, better preparing you for whatever the future may hold.
Embrace the potential for change
The “end of history illusion” highlights the importance of maintaining a growth mindset in all aspects of our lives. By recognising we are—and always will be—works in progress, we can make decisions catering not just to our present selves, but to the multiple future selves we might become. This mindset can lead to more fulfilling, empathetic, and forward-thinking lives.
And as for the band I’d like to play in today? Ask me again in ten years.