The Present Bias

It describes our tendency to choose a smaller, immediate reward over a larger reward in the future. Ice cream tastes better than broccoli. Buying new clothes is more fun than saving money for a far-off retirement.

Present bias leads us to forever putting off the harder things that set our future selves up for success. When we fail to eat healthier, save more, or make progress on our goals, we’re digging ourselves into holes and leaving it to our Future Selves to try and find a way out.