Outsmart Procrastination: Do It Now for Tomorrow’s You

‘LPT: Act like your future self is a real person. So when you see a chore that needs to be done, you can say “I’ll do this now to be nice to my future self”. Helps motivate to get things done because you’re doing work for someone you want to help’

This life tip works by reframing chores as acts of kindness for your future self. First, it creates a sense of empathy—imagining your future self as a real person makes you want to ease their burden, like doing dishes now so they don’t face a messy kitchen later. Second, it boosts motivation by giving tasks a positive spin; instead of “I have to,” it’s “I’m helping someone.”

Third, it builds discipline, as consistently acting for your future self reinforces a habit of responsibility. This mindset, treating your future self as someone worth helping, transforms procrastination into purposeful action, making tasks feel less daunting and more rewarding.

This approach brings extra wins. It reduces future stress, leaving you with more free time later. It also fosters self-compassion, as you prioritize your own well-being. Plus, it can make even mundane tasks feel like small gifts to yourself.

Have you ever tried doing chores to “help” your future self? How did it change your approach to tasks? What would you do if you started seeing your future self as someone to support?

This Redditor’s trick is like a mental high-five to your future self. Procrastination often stems from prioritizing short-term comfort over long-term gain, but imagining your future self as a friend shifts that dynamic. It’s about empathy—doing the dishes now spares tomorrow’s you from stress. This mindset tackles the common struggle of delaying tasks, which can snowball into bigger problems.

Procrastination is a widespread issue. A 2021 study by the American Psychological Association found that 80% of people procrastinate regularly, often due to a disconnect between present and future needs (APA). This tip bridges that gap by fostering self-compassion.

Psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff, an expert in self-compassion, notes, “Treating yourself with kindness, as you would a close friend, enhances motivation and reduces stress” (Greater Good Magazine). Her insight aligns with the Redditor’s advice: by doing tasks now, you’re caring for your future self, building discipline and reducing future overwhelm. This approach also sharpens your decision-making skills, as you weigh immediate effort against long-term relief.

To make it work, start small—pick one task, like organizing your desk, and imagine how grateful future you will be. Use a to-do list app like Todoist to track tasks and visualize their impact. If you fear overcommitting, set boundaries and prioritize key tasks. How do you motivate yourself to get things done? Share your hacks in the comments to inspire others!

Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:

The Reddit crew chimed in with a mix of humor and insight, serving up reactions as spicy as a late-night chore session.

These hot takes spark a question: does this mindset shift work for you, or does future you still get the short end of the stick? What’s your take?

This Redditor’s tip is a masterclass in outsmarting procrastination. By treating your future self as someone worth helping, you turn chores into acts of self-care, reducing stress and building discipline. Have you ever done a task to “help” your future self? How did it feel, and what changed? Drop your thoughts below—what would you do if you started seeing your future self as a friend to support?