I’ve recently decided to try something similar, negotiating with my future self. I have two long-term tasks I can complete, both unpleasant, which lead to a rather pleasant goal. I’ve resolved to complete one of the tasks over the next several months, so that my future self won’t have to, with the understanding that in exchange my future self will complete the second task for me. So far I’ve been holding up my end of the bargain, I can only hope that he’ll hold up his.
This seems like a good strategy, but I think mostly because practicing willpower now will help you exercise it in the future. On the other hand, if conceptualizing it as an acausal bargain helps you exercise that willpower, more power to you!
I’ve recently decided to try something similar, negotiating with my future self. I have two long-term tasks I can complete, both unpleasant, which lead to a rather pleasant goal. I’ve resolved to complete one of the tasks over the next several months, so that my future self won’t have to, with the understanding that in exchange my future self will complete the second task for me. So far I’ve been holding up my end of the bargain, I can only hope that he’ll hold up his.
This seems like a good strategy, but I think mostly because practicing willpower now will help you exercise it in the future. On the other hand, if conceptualizing it as an acausal bargain helps you exercise that willpower, more power to you!