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Welcome to another edition of the 1% Habits Newsletter!

This is where you’ll get up-to-date information on small wins to improve your habits, productivity, and life satisfaction. 

Let’s get to it.

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📈 The Future Ted & Marshall Problem (and How to Avoid It)

Like a lot of you, I wear a lot of hats.

I’ve got two young kids. A wife I want to be present for. Multiple online businesses to run. And hobbies (like my AI Music Project) that keep me curious and inspired.

The truth? Time is limited.

That means I can’t say yes to everything. I can’t chase every idea. I can’t give every request the same amount of attention.

So I need a filter. A way to decide what deserves my time and what doesn’t.

That’s where the “Future Self” Test comes in.

What Is the Future Self Test?

The idea is simple: before committing to something, ask yourself —

“Will my future self thank me for this?”

If the answer is yes, it’s probably worth doing. If the answer is no, or even “not really,” then it’s a sign to pause, delegate, or decline.

It’s a filter that cuts through the noise of the present moment and forces you to think long-term.

Because here’s the thing: in the moment, almost everything feels urgent. But urgency is not the same as importance.

The Future Self Test helps you separate the two.

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Future Ted and Marshall’s Problem

If you’ve ever watched How I Met Your Mother, there’s a running gag called “Future Ted and Marshall’s Problem.”

The idea is that Present Ted and Marshall would do something reckless or inconvenient — like staying out too late or having a sword fight in the living room — and then say, “Eh, that’s Future Ted and Marshall’s problem.”

It’s funny on the show, but it’s also painfully true in real life.

Present You wants comfort, ease, and instant gratification. Future You is the one who has to deal with the consequences.

● Present You says yes to one more late-night Netflix episode. Future You drags through work the next day.

● Present You skips the workout. Future You struggles with energy and health.

● Present You says yes to every meeting. Future You wonders why there’s no time left for meaningful work.

The “Future Self” Test is basically the antidote to Future Ted and Marshall’s Problem. Instead of dumping problems on Future You, you start making decisions that set them up for success.

The Philosophy Behind It

This approach is rooted in the concept of future self continuity — the idea that the more connected you feel to your future self, the better decisions you make today.

Research by Hal Hershfield, a psychologist at UCLA, shows that people who visualize and feel connected to their future selves are more likely to save money, make healthier choices, and pursue long-term goals. (Hershfield’s research summary)

When you ask, “Will my future self thank me for this?” you’re essentially bridging the gap between present-you (who wants comfort) and future-you (who benefits from discipline and focus).

It’s a way of aligning your daily actions with your bigger vision.

Everyday Examples

Here’s what the Future Self Test looks like in practice:

● Health: Future me will thank me for going to bed on time instead of scrolling my phone until midnight.

● Business: Future me will thank me for writing this email today instead of putting it off until the last minute.

● Family: Future me will thank me for shutting the laptop and playing with my kids instead of squeezing in one more “urgent” task.

● Learning: Future me will thank me for watching a tutorial with full attention instead of half-listening while multitasking.

● Finances: Future me will thank me for saving and investing instead of impulse spending.

The filter is simple, but powerful.

Why It Works

1. It creates perspective. You zoom out from how you feel now and consider the bigger picture.
   

2. It reduces regret. Most regrets come from ignoring what our future selves would have wanted.
   

3. It strengthens discipline. Willpower fades, but wanting to help “Future You” is a deeper motivator.
   

4. It simplifies decisions. No complicated frameworks — just one question: “Will my future self thank me for this?”

An Action Plan for Using the Future Self Test

Here’s how you can start applying this filter today:

Step 1: Identify Your Core Areas: Write down the 3–5 areas of life that matter most right now. For me, that’s:

● Family

● Health

● Business

● Creativity (AI Music Project)

Step 2: Set Future Self Goals: For each area, define what your future self would want. Example:

● Family → Be present and create memories.

●  Health → Have energy to play with my kids.

● Business → Build sustainable, profitable systems.

● Creativity → Keep learning and experimenting.

Step 3: Apply the Filter Daily: Before saying yes to something, pause and ask:

● Does this align with my future self goals?

● Will future me thank me for this?

Step 4: Use Tools to Stay Accountable: It’s easy to forget this filter in the rush of daily life. That’s why I recommend the Time Management & Productivity Printable. It includes a Time Audit worksheet that helps you see where your hours are going — and whether they line up with what your future self would want.

Step 5: Review Weekly: At the end of the week, reflect:

● What did I do this week that my future self will thank me for?

● What did I do that my future self won’t care about (or might regret)?

This reflection keeps the filter sharp.

A Personal Example

When I first started my AI Music Project, it was tempting to treat it like a casual side hobby. But when I ran it through the Future Self Test, I realized:

● Future me would thank me for learning these tools and building something new.

● Future me would regret letting the opportunity pass by because I was “too busy.”

That filter pushed me to prioritize it during my peak energy hours — and the results have been incredible.

Final Thoughts on Your Future Self

Life is full of choices. And when you’re juggling kids, a marriage, businesses, and personal passions, every choice comes with a cost.

The “Future Self” Test is a simple way to cut through the noise. It helps you focus on what truly matters, avoid regrets, and build a life your future self will thank you for.

So here’s my challenge: Today, before you say yes to anything — a task, a meeting, even a late-night Netflix binge — pause and ask:

“Will my future self thank me for this?”

Because unlike Ted and Marshall, we don’t want to keep dumping problems on “Future Us.” We want to hand them gifts.

Your future self will be grateful.

Talk soon,

Steve

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