Screwing Over Future-You

I haven't very much willpower.

Luckily, I've learned to fake it by combing two other character traits:

1. I have a fairly decent sized ego, and
2. I am really really good at screwing over future-me.

Back in early 1994, a skinny 18 year old Louie was weighing the decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. Perhaps other 18 year olds are more profound or deliberate in their decision making; I made the decision in about 30 seconds. I wish I could say that I had a compelling reason to sign that contract - "Service to my great nation" would sound great, or maybe "family tradition" (3 of my 4 grandparents served in WWII. My grandmother was a Marine, and yes, she kicks tremendous amounts of ass). Even "chicks just melt when they see dress blues" would have been understandable.

But none of those entered my head. I signed my name simply because I wanted to test myself. I wanted a no-bullshit measure of where I stood on the badass-o-meter, a test where no one would bend a single inch to help me pass, and where no one would have the slightest reservation in letting me know if I fail. The Marine Corps is good that way. They have a vested interest in keeping the lazy, the weak, and the incompetent from crossing that finish line.

Like most young men making that transition to adulthood, I was leaving a childhood littered with half-finished endeavors, all started with the sincerest intents - sometimes even short lived obsession -  but ultimately left incomplete.

I couldn't let that happen again.

Before I could reconsider, I went straight to the recruiting station and signed my life away. The second I got back home, I told each and every person I knew that I was going to Paris Island. I shouted it from the mountaintops to every friend I had, every person I had an ounce of respect for, every acquaintance. I even told the people I couldn't stand, the ones who would be smiling if I failed.

Especially the ones who would be smiling if I failed.

You see, my fear of seeing those people in 3 months and having to announce my failure was way bigger than my fear of the Marine Corps. So every time during those next 12 weeks that I was face down in mud, trembling like jell-O, trying to squeeze out one more pushup with no end in sight, I thought of what it would mean to quit.  To walk that gamut of shame. To tell the people who didn't believe in me that they were right. And then I reached down and kept going. I reached my physical and emotional breaking point many times, but the commitments I had made kept me moving forward.

I can't tell you how many times I cursed out that younger civilian version of myself that had so glibly signed that paperwork, but you know what? He made the right choice. He signed me up for commitments and burned every bridge that would allow me to back out of them, and it worked. I graduated Paris Island on August 12, 1994. That date has opened a lot of doors for me since.

Today we're going to talk about a method of training awareness that ties in with that concept. It isn't a drill per se, but it is a useful tool in keeping you moving forward in your awareness training.You can combine this with future drills.

What you will need:

•  A gmail account
• A cell phone that is on you most days

We're going to use a tool called Google Calendar. It's a free tool that allows you to schedule recurring tasks. It is phenomenally useful because you can tie it to any phone and send yourself SMS reminders.  We're going to use this capability to send ourselves awareness pop-quizzes.

Below is an example template you can use with Google Calendar. The important parts for getting these reminders to your phone are in red. As you can see, I have a 12:30 reminder on Tuesdays and Fridays. Since I'm usually eating lunch at 12:30, this awareness drill works well in restaurants - I simply have to describe the people sitting closest to me whenever the alarm goes off. If I was actually aware of my surroundings instead of daydreaming about my McSlopBucket biggie-sized value meal, I pass the test.

I set this alarm for only 2 days of the week because I've found that for me, doing it every day allows me to get used to it and game the system. I start thinking "OK, I better start looking around and seeing what everyone is wearing, because my phone will be going off in about 10 minutes..." Setting it for only 2 days a week allows me to forget about it until it goes off. It's more difficult, and I believe that is key in making the observant behavior come more naturally. Your mind may work differently; adjust accordingly.

When the alarm does go off, it has its own distinctive ringtone (this is set on the cell phone, not on Google Calendar). I don't even have to look down at my phone; I know from that sound that it's time for an awareness test. One that I've probably forgotten all about. One that I was signed up for by a younger version of myself.

Thanks, younger me. Way to keep me on my toes.

Enjoy!