The “I want to have” method

I’m almost certain that this is writing advice from Brandon Sanderson, but I could be wrong. It goes like this:

Do what you want to “have done” by a certain future point.

For example, if in a year you want to have written a book, then write the book NOW so you can get to that future point with that sense of accomplishment.

Marissa Meyer talks about this as “doing it for your Future Self”.

It’s been really helping me on a smaller level. For example, my future self isn’t some abstract version of me in one-three-five years in a blurry environment thinking vague thoughts.

My future self is the pregnant, tired woman who’s going to roll into bed in fifteen minutes and mentally catalog her day. I want THAT GIRL to say, “Damn I did good today.”

Of course, there are some days when that won’t be possible, and on those days, grace is the name of the game.

But most days, it’s possible to make one or two small, but significant, choices that make the Future Self of a few hours ahead very happy.

I’ll have an extra happy wiggle today for posting another blog post, even though that wasn’t on the list and likely no one will ever know or notice that I’m being consistent.

I want to have done all the things I knew I COULD do on this day. And if I’m able to keep that in focus when I plan my day or my afternoon, I find I’m a much more effective writer, nicer mom, kinder friend, etc.

Here you go, Future Me. You’re welcome.