Hello!

For those of you in Canada, I hope this newsletter lands in your lap while you’re sipping your morning coffee or tea, relaxed and enjoying another day of weekend bliss before dipping back onto work life. Today’s read may hit you at just the right time.

For the rest of you, here’s wishing you a great start to the week.

This week's featured article reveals that the benefits of future self-continuity—the degree to which you feel connected to your future self—can be achieved through brief conversations with a simulated ‘future you’ persona leveraging generative AI.

The findings: Conversing with a generative AI simulation of your future self reduces anxiety and enhances overall well-being.

Why it matters for you: 

• A strong connection to your future self promotes a whole host of physical, mental, and emotional benefits tied to long-term decision making—including saving more for retirement, getting better grades, having a higher perceived quality of life, and an overall higher likelihood to achieve goals.

• Leaders with a strong connection to their future self are more likely to prioritize sustainable growth over short term wins, are more likely to embrace change that aligns with future goals, and when leveraged with team members, can foster a cohesive motivation toward growth.

What you can do about it: Take a moment to chat with your future self. The resulting feelings of mental clarity, sense of purpose, and motivation may surprise you. The best part? You can name the simulation and bring it back to life whenever you need a boost. I promise you, it is worth it.

Step 1: Build your own future self persona

Paste the following prompt into your favourite generative AI platform to build the simulation of your future self, and add in the details you want to share.

___

I'd like to create a simulation of my future self that I can interact with. I’d like the simulation to be named ###. Please use the following details to ensure the persona is as personalized and engaging as possible:

Basic Information:

• Name

• Age:

• Pronouns:

• Current role:

• Education level:

• Cultural background

Personality and traits:

• Key personality characteristics (e.g. introverted/extroverted, optimistic/pessimistic)

• Core values and beliefs:

Hobbies and interests:

• Main hobbies or interests (e.g. reading, sports, travelling):

• Professional interests (e.g. areas of expertise or interest in your field):

Future goals:

• Short-term goals (next 1-2 years):

• Long-term goals (next 5 - 10 years):

Current challenges:

• Professional challenges (e.g. project deadlines, skill gaps)

• Personal challenges (e.g. work-life balance, health concerns)

Step 2: Grab a cup of coffee and have a chat

If you use ChatGPT, it will automatically give you a suite of prompts to engage with your future self. Otherwise, here are some examples for you to start exploring a conversation:

• Hi (simulation name). Let's have a conversation about how you achieved your goals and overcame challenges. How did you balance your professional ambitions with your personal life? Can you share some wisdom on managing long-term projects and maintaining motivation? How did your beliefs and values shape your journey, and what advice would you give to someone striving for a similar path?

• (simulation name) can you reflect on how your approach to work evolved over the years? What were some pivotal moments in your career that defined your legacy?

• (simulation name) tell me about a time when you faced a significant obstacle in your life. How did you overcome it, and what did you learn from the experience that you can share with others?

• Looking back, what were the most rewarding aspects of your work in nature conservation and low consumption advocacy? How can future generations continue this important work?

Enjoy the experience, my friends.

M

PS We value your input! Share your thoughts on this week's briefing, ask questions, or suggest topics for future issues by replying to this email. Would also love to hear how the prompts made you think differently about your day-to-day.

PSS Know someone who would benefit from our insights? Use this link to invite them to our community.