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When Does the Future Begin?
Article

When Does the Future Begin?

A Study in Maximizing Motivation

Daphna Oyserman
Aeon, 2016
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Well Structured
  • Inspiring

Recommendation

How close do you feel to the future you? According to social scientist Daphna Oyserman, your answer might be critical to your motivation. While most animals focus on the present, early humans developed future-oriented thinking – a mode of consciousness that helps you defy hardship – as you make your way toward an imagined future. Balancing these two modes of thinking can be a struggle. getAbstract recommends this summary to people who want to understand how an orientation toward the future can influence their behavior in the here and now.

Take-Aways

  • The way you think about your future influences the actions you are willing to take today to attain your goals.
  • Middle school students were taught to integrate images of their current academic approach with images of their future selves.
  • Students who participated in the intervention earned better grades and came to see obstacles as essential to progress.

About the Author

Daphna Oyserman teaches psychology, education and communication at the University of Southern California. Her book Pathways to Success Through Identity-Based Motivation was published in 2015.

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