Imagine Your
Future Self
REFLECT AND DREAM
Introduction
In this lesson, you will begin by asking your future self some important questions: What kind of career do you want? Will you need college? Will you be married? Then, you'll imagine yourself in the future and answer these questions in a way that creates your best possible future. Finally, you will develop a timeline that will lead you to this ideal future. By creating timelines to help meet your goals, you are giving yourself an excellent visual tool to stay inspired and on track for the future you envision.
HOW DO YOU IMAGINE YOUR FUTURE?
START WITH YOURSELF
Ask questions to your future self.
REFLECT AND DREAM
THINK ABOUT THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE
One of the best ways to imagine the future is to ask yourself questions about it. Questions make you actively think about things that you might not have thought about.
Imagine talking to yourself 10 years from now. What questions would you ask yourself?
THINK ABOUT THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE
Directions:
1. Analyze the 5 questions you asked. What are your priorities? Why are these questions the most important to you?
2. Form a group of 3 and compare questions. Do you have similar questions? Are your priorities the same?
3. If you liked any of the questions from your teammates, add them to your list of questions.
WHAT WOULD YOUR FUTURE SELF TELL YOU?
LOOK BEYOND YOURSELF
Answer your future self’s questions.
REFLECT AND DREAM
THINK ABOUT IMAGINING POSITIVE ANSWERS
Imagine yourself ten years from now. You are talking to yourself as you are right this moment. What would you like to tell yourself?
Read through your questions again and now answer them as your future self. What would be your ideal outcomes?
WHAT STEPS SHOULD YOU TAKE TO REACH YOUR DESIRED FUTURE?
MAKE CONNECTIONS
Create a timeline illustrating steps you could take to become your possible future self.
REFLECT AND DREAM
CONNECT CREATE A TIMELINE
You will create a timeline that will help you achieve the future you just described.
For example, if you set the goal to become a veterinarian, then you might include things on your timeline like:
“A GOAL WITHOUT A PLAN IS JUST A WISH.”
- ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY
CONNECT CREATE A TIMELINE
1. Analyze the answer to your questions about the future. What do you need to do to make these plans a reality?
2. Imagine when you might do these things. For example, if you are in middle school now, you may include some of the classes you will take in high school that would move you in the right direction.
3. You may include pictures on the timeline if you wish.
CONNECT CREATE A TIMELINE
Sample Timeline For Veterinarian
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED WHEN THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE?
REFLECT AND UPDATE YOUR THINKING
I can use what I have learned about asking questions and creating timelines to imagine the best possible future for myself.
REFLECT AND DREAM
REFLECT ON THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE