Let’s imagine this is my near-future self, peering back at me from next week, seeing what I’m up to. A bit weird, I know…
But after a week of chilling out in the sun with my family (and chopping off the long hair in time for that heatwave), I am ready to get back to business. The trouble is, business-as-usual looks like a stack of housework, a bulging email inbox and a 26.2-mile-long to-do list. And still 7 days until school starts up again.
So I’m calling on my near-future self for some help. She needs me as much as I need her, so we’re kind of a team. I know her well, unlike Me-in-five-years (she’s a bit intimidating, if I’m honest). But Near-future-me is asking for certain things to be done and if I don’t get to it, not only will she be upset with me and mightily stressed, so will I! How’s that for accountability?! 😉
Using Last-week-me as an example of what ought to be done first, I can safely say (through gritted teeth) that I need to start with the little things… I won’t just load the dishwasher, I’ll actually switch it on. I’ll buy her some food and household bits; she’s going to need them. I’ll book her in for that pamper treat, and make sure she has a choice of clean clothes for it. She’ll be so happy, she’ll willingly pay it forward…
We might even feel good enough to tackle some larger projects. Revamping my office area. Setting up a gorgeous new private Facebook group. Writing the ebook that’s currently existing as scattered notes all over the house. Ooh, I can just hear the squeals of delight and sighs of satisfaction coming from A-year-from-now-Catherine. And there’s another, more distant thought just underneath that one that’s wanting to emerge…
So why don’t you try this yourself if you need to get back on track? I’d love you to reply and let me know what you think future-you would be saying about your day today. It’s not about piling on the pressure in the typical people-pleasing way. It’s harnessing your inner nurturer (the Mother archetype, perhaps) and giving back to the most important person – you!