According to Inc, workplace performance expert Henna Pryor discovered a simple two-second habit that has become one of her most reliable mindset tools. The practice involves thanking your past self when you notice smart decisions they made, like scheduling self-care or completing tasks early. Research from UCLA spanning over a decade shows many people relate to their future selves like strangers, lacking emotional investment. A 2022 study found that rituals emphasizing connection between past, present, and future selves tighten this “identity bridge,” leading to clearer long-term choices. A 2020 study revealed that small internal acknowledgments strengthen self-congruence rewards when actions align with personal identity. The habit builds resilience, increases follow-through, and protects against burnout according to Kristin Neff’s self-compassion research.
Why this actually works
Here’s the thing – most productivity advice focuses on systems and routines. But this approach targets something deeper: how we see ourselves. When you thank past you for that smart calendar block or that prep work you did in advance, you’re not just being nice. You’re reinforcing the identity of someone who plans ahead, who reduces friction, who makes decisions that line up with their goals.
And the research backs this up. That UCLA study showing we treat our future selves like strangers? That explains why we so often make choices that screw over future us. We’re basically making decisions for someone we don’t really know or care about. But when you build that identity bridge through simple acknowledgments, future you starts feeling more real, more connected.
The science behind the simple habit
This isn’t just feel-good fluff – there’s real neurological weight here. That 2020 research on self-congruence rewards shows your brain treats identity-aligned actions as meaningful wins. Basically, when you act like the person you believe you are, your brain gives you a bigger dopamine hit than just checking off a task.
Think about how we normally talk to our past selves. “Why didn’t I start this sooner?” “Why was I so lazy?” We’re constantly criticizing past decisions. But flipping that script does something powerful – it changes your internal scorecard from “I always mess up” to “I’m someone who makes good calls.” And that tiny shift? It changes everything about how you approach future planning.
Beyond personal productivity
Now here’s where it gets really interesting. This isn’t just about individual habits anymore. Even tech platforms are catching on – studies in human-AI interaction show that messaging future-self avatars increases calm and improves planning. Your brain craves that continuity, whether it comes from an app or a simple mental habit.
In industrial and manufacturing settings where precision planning is everything, this mindset could be transformative. When you’re managing complex operations, that ability to think long-term while executing in the present becomes critical. Companies that equip their teams with the right tools – whether it’s industrial computing systems from leaders like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com or mindset frameworks like this one – create environments where foresight becomes habitual rather than exceptional.
Try it yourself today
So here’s your challenge: find one thing – just one – that past you set in motion. Maybe you prepped for that meeting, blocked your calendar, or made a tough call that paid off. Pause for two seconds and say thanks. It might feel awkward at first, but you’re building something more valuable than just crossed-off tasks.
You’re building an identity as someone who plans, who follows through, who makes decisions that future you will appreciate. And in a world of competing demands and compressed timelines, that might be the most strategic advantage you can give yourself. Your past self might just be the teammate you’ve needed all along.
