Most people know that I majored in Economics. What most people don’t know is that I also picked up a Masters in Procrastination. If something was fun, I would do it immediately. If something required work, effort, or attention – I would put it off until later.
I became so good at procrastinating that I could knock out a 20 page paper in a day. I was so confident in my later self.
I’ve noticed that this is a trait that everyone shares. We’re all confident in what we’ll be able to accomplish…later.
Don’t Overestimate Your Future Self
If you’re doing something now, you’ll probably be doing it later. If you’re not doing something now, you probably won’t do it later.
- If you’re a recent college graduation, you think you’ll save more later – just as soon as you get married.
- If you’re recently married, you think you’ll save more later – after you travel the country.
- If you have children, you think you’ll save more later – as soon as they get older.
Yep, just wait until later. There’s no better time to save for retirement than when you’re retired…
There always seems to be something that keeps you from doing what you know is best. I understand that “life happens,” but life is always happening. If you aren’t saving now, you’re not going to save later. If you’re not able to make tough decisions now, you never will. It’s not going to get any easier.
Rest assured, though…you’re not alone. Everyone is guilty of this.
Think about our government!
In 2011, our congressmen didn’t want to come up with a permanent solution to our fiscal imbalances because they knew it would require some tough decisions. They decided to set up some automatic spending cuts, thinking that their future selves SHOULD be able to reach some agreement.
As you have seen, nothing has changed.
And nothing will change for you, unless you do.
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