What is the Best Possible Self Exercise?

The Best Possible Self exercise is a powerful guided visualization from the field of Positive Psychology. It invites you to imagine yourself in the future, having achieved your most important goals and realized your full potential. You’ll spend time vividly picturing what your life looks like in the key domains of career, relationships, health, and personal growth.

This is not about fantasy or wishful thinking. It’s a structured practice designed to connect you with your deepest aspirations and build a sense of optimism and motivation. This interactive tool will guide you through the visualization and help you create a “blueprint” of your future self.

When Should I Use This Tool?

This exercise is a potent tool for anyone looking to cultivate a more positive and goal-oriented mindset. It is especially helpful when you are:

• Feeling stuck or unsure about your future direction.
• Struggling with pessimism or a negative outlook.
• Looking to increase your motivation to work toward your goals.
• Wanting to clarify what is truly important to you in different areas of your life.
• Seeking to build a stronger sense of hope and optimism.

The Science Behind It: Optimism, Motivation, and Goal Clarity

The Best Possible Self exercise is one of the most well-researched interventions in positive psychology, with numerous studies demonstrating its effectiveness.

1. Cultivating Optimism: By spending time imagining a positive future, you are actively practicing the skill of optimism. Research by psychologist Dr. Laura King and others has shown that this exercise consistently leads to significant increases in happiness and positive mood, both immediately and over time. It works by counteracting our brain’s natural tendency to focus on worries and potential problems.
2. Enhancing Motivation: A vague goal is difficult to work toward. This exercise helps you create a rich, multi-sensory, and emotionally compelling vision of your future. This vivid vision acts as a powerful motivator, making the abstract benefits of your goals feel more concrete and desirable. It provides a clear “why” to fuel your daily efforts.
3. Clarifying Values and Goals: The process of imagining your ideal future forces you to think deeply about what truly matters to you. It helps you clarify your core values and translate them into specific, meaningful goals. This clarity is the first and most crucial step in any journey of personal growth.

Important Safety Disclaimer & When to Seek Help

This tool is for educational and self-exploration purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy.

This is a safe and positive exercise for most people. The goal is to connect with your potential in a hopeful way. It’s okay if your vision isn’t perfectly clear at first; the practice itself is what matters.

If you are struggling with severe depression, hopelessness, or trauma, focusing on the future can sometimes be difficult or distressing. Be gentle with yourself. If you find this exercise brings up overwhelming feelings, it is a sign of strength to seek support from a qualified mental health professional. If you are in crisis, please call your local emergency number.

Further Reading & References

The Best Possible Self exercise is a cornerstone of positive psychology interventions.

1. “The Health Benefits of Writing About Your Best Possible Self” – An article from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.
2. “Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Human Strengths” – An overview of the field that developed this exercise.
3. “The how of happiness: A scientific approach to getting the life you want” – A book by Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a leading researcher in the field, which details this and other happiness-boosting activities.