Those who can dream and envision the future are the ones who tend to succeed consistently in their personal lives, family lives, social lives and business careers.

So writes Mike Henning in the August 2009 issue of Hotel & Motel Management (”Critical questions to ask about the family business“).

I agree — and this is proven by academic research conducted by my friend Kerry Fischer Milch.  In a nutshell: college kids who felt a kinship with their “future self” were more likely to make responsible financial choices in the now than those who did not feel close to the future version of themselves.

I suspect I am a broken record, but when an insight is good, it’s good — take a moment today to say hello to octogenarian you.

• What kind of life do you want to reflect upon when you’re chillaxin’ in a recliner on your 80th birthday?
• What do you want to say to your 80 year old self?
• What kind of future do you envision?
• What can you do this very moment to bring that future one breath closer?

Get a move on; 80 year old you is awaitin’.

Photograph taken in Berlin, Germany; September 2005