Your Future Self Is Counting on the Habits You Build Today
Imagine meeting your 80-year-old self.
What would you hope that person could still do? Travel? Hike through a national park? Play pickleball? Volunteer at church? Chase grandchildren around the backyard?
Now ask yourself a different question. What are you doing today to make that future possible?
Most people spend decades preparing financially for retirement. They save, invest, and dream about having more freedom. But far fewer prepare themselves physically, mentally, and socially to truly enjoy those years.
The habits you build in your 30s, 40s, and 50s will have a tremendous impact on your quality of life in your 70s and 80s.
Researchers have begun focusing on healthspan, the number of years we live in good health. While we're living longer than previous generations, we're not necessarily spending more of those years in good health. Rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and substance-use disorders are contributing to this trend.
Fitness is one of the best investments you can make. Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. Walking, hiking, strength training, yoga, and biking are all great ways to stay active. No matter what you choose, the best exercise program is the one you'll continue doing.
I've always enjoyed being active, but my routine has evolved over the years. Today I make time for cardio, strength training, and yoga because I want to continue doing the things I love for many years to come. Fitness isn't about looking younger; it's about living better.
Just as important are the habits that give life meaning. Develop hobbies before you need them. Too many people retire only to discover their identity revolved around work. Whether it's gardening, photography, woodworking, music, cooking, or hiking, hobbies keep both your mind and body engaged.
Volunteer before retirement, not after. Serving your church, mentoring others, joining a nonprofit board, or supporting community organizations creates a sense of purpose while strengthening your connection to others.
Relationships deserve the same focus. Research has shown that people with strong social connections experience better health and happiness, yet many adults report feeling lonely. Friendships don't simply happen; they're cultivated over time.
Healthy eating is another investment in your future. Choosing more whole foods, eating lean protein, increasing fruits and vegetables, and limiting highly processed foods pays dividends for years to come.
As a coach, I've learned that lasting change rarely comes from dramatic resolutions. It comes from consistent habits. Start small. Schedule your workouts. Find activities you genuinely enjoy. Ask someone to hold you accountable. Building new habits takes consistency, but the long-term rewards are worth the effort.
Perhaps we should spend as much time building a Life Portfolio as we do an investment portfolio.
· Invest in your health.
· Invest in your relationships.
· Invest in hobbies you'll enjoy for decades.
· Invest in serving others.
Your future isn't determined by one big decision. It's shaped by thousands of small ones.
So today, choose one habit that your 80-year-old self will thank you for starting.
References
· Janin, Alex. Your Healthspan Is as Important as Your Lifespan—and It's Declining. The Wall Street Journal, January 17, 2024.
· Kreider Yoder, Karen. We're Retired and Healthy. But How Do We Plan for Our Decline? The Wall Street Journal, August 3, 2023.
· Gostick, Adrian. Harvard Research Reveals the #1 Key to Living Longer and Happier. Harvard Business Review, August 15, 2023.
· Gray, Lauren. 10 Things Your Doctor Wishes You'd Start Doing in Your 50s. Best Life, May 9, 2023.
· Hui, Alyssa. How Many Days Does It Really Take for a New Habit to Stick? Health, January 18, 2024.