Eduardo Guillen's Key Ideas from Be Your Future Self Now
by Dr. Benjamin Hardy

#1 Without hope in your future, your present loses meaning

#2 A reactive narrative about your past stunts your future

#3 Being unaware of your environment creates random evolution

#4 Being disconnected from your future self leads to myopic decisions

#5 Urgent battles and small goals keep you stuck

#6 Not being in the arena is failing by default

#7 Success is often the catalyst for failure

(Hope is more powerful than optimism)

1.) A clear and specific goal

2.) Agency thinking: Belief that you have control over your life and your actions matter. You can change your life. 

3.) Pathway thinking: You see a path, have a path or can create multiple paths from where you are today towards your goals. 

Dr. Hardy explains scientifically that we assume our future self is the same person. This is a mistake since we are constantly evolving.

Your future self is and will be different, and having the flexibility and long-term goals will help you navigate towards the life you want. The trick is not to see yourself as a finished product. You may be in a "messy" time period, but that's okay. Remain flexible and graceful. 

Your trajectory is more important than where you are today. 

Your actions today create a ripple effect on your future self. Each positive choice you make increases the likelihood of more positive choices ahead. Make wise investments in your actions!

Going through the motions isn't enough. You need to commit to deliberate practice and actively seek self-improvement. Don't shy away from challenges or practicing with those who are better than you. Investing in yourself, even when it's uncomfortable, is how you grow. The more willing you are to make mistakes, the closer you get to greatness.

1. Clarify your contextual purpose
2. Eliminate lesser goals
3. Elevate from needing to wanting to knowing
4. Ask for exactly what you want
5. Automate and systemize your Future Self
6. Schedule your Future Self
7. Aggressively complete imperfect work

Dr. Hardy states: "Given your current context, what is the most important thing you could achieve or realize right now? What is the next level that would be utterly amazing to achieve? "

Clarifying your contextual purpose involves:

1. Connect with your long-term Future Self
2. Clarify your contextual purpose through your three major priorities
3. Set massive 12-month targets based on your three priorities. 

(Hardy, pg 131)

You have to feel/know that what you want is already yours. Living in the moment and actually feeling like you have what you want will put you in the right state of mind to receive. 

Don't be afraid to be bold and unapologetic in asking what you want. The universe has a way of getting you what you want you just have to ask. 

The book describes how many people procrastinate on important tasks. Focus your attention and time on the things that matter. Make sure you schedule and fight for your top three big goals. 

Ship what you have! Get in the arena and iterate. Don't let perfection or "I'll do it tomorrow" get in the way. Shipping what you have is 10x better than never taking action at all.