This is no joke. Every time I find myself not living the life my ideal self would, I go to this person. And every time, they jolt me back to my ideal self once again. It never fails.
But before I introduce them , I want you to take a second and put together a mental list of the qualities, aspirations, and maybe even the general aura around your ideal self.
What do you look like in the ideal state?
For example, here’s a quick list of my ideal self:
Personal Qualities:
- Kind
- Quiet, but strong
- Adventurous
- Spontaneous
- Fun loving
- Contagious optimism
- Organized but not a perfectionist
- Easy going
- Always active
Aspirations:
- Always trying new things/going new places
- Builds things/handy (motorcycles, houses, etc.)
- Doing what is uncommon (such as becoming a pilot or getting a Psychology degree just for fun)
- Be involved in the larger community/leave a mark
- Always have fun/never take life too serious
- Have no unwanted ties (i.e. debt)
General Aura:
- People are naturally drawn to him
- Always positive, healthy, and in the moment
It’s not the whole list, but I think you get the point. These aspects make up who I ideally want to be. Seems simple enough, but in life things happen. I have a stressful day at work and I don’t feel like being the fun-loving, easy-going guy.
But shit happens. And that’s what this special person has made me realize.
That no matter what comes up. What life throws at you. You have a choice right here and now to be your ideal self. Let your weak, “natural” self wash away.
Until I stumbled across this person I was sort of lost. I would have feelings of unhappiness but then continue on with my life in the same order. I didn’t like my job, but I stayed in it. I didn’t like my attitude towards others, but I kept acting annoyed. I didn’t like my life, but I didn’t change a thing.
It’s very easy to get overwhelmed by the difference between who you want to become and who you actually are. You see all of these massive shifts that need to happen and it all gets to be too much. You give up. You don’t know where to start. You don’t want to start.
But what if you had someone to call on every time you had one of these moments?
What if every time you felt your ideal self moving further away from your actual self you could ask this person for help and they could immediately make you into who you’ve always wanted to be?
Well I have some good news for you.
Remember all those qualities and aspirations you thought of earlier? That person is your ideal self. Who you want to be right now.
Now give that person a name. Not your name, but a different name. Hell, maybe even a name you wished you had.
My ideal self’s name is Eric Ryan. I know, it’s not creative at all since it’s literally just my first and middle name, but it’s simple and sounds cool. 
So this person I call on anytime I need help becoming my ideal self?
Eric Ryan.
And for you, it’s whatever name you came up with.
Your ideal self is not just a goal. It’s a guide.
I hope I didn’t massively upset any of you with this news, but it’s completely true. Every single time I have noticed that I am not being my ideal self and I take the time to ask, “What would Eric Ryan do right now?” I become exactly who I want to be.
It may sound corny or downright stupid to some, but just try it. The next time you feel you’re doing something you wish you didn’t have to, ask yourself, “What would {insert made up cool name here} do?”
I can guarantee that if you care enough you will change your ways immediately. Do this enough and you become your ideal self without even asking that simple question anymore.
So give it a go. Head out into the world with your old you and your ideal you but don’t act like that ideal self is in the future. They’re with you right now. Guiding you through life’s bullshit. There to help any time you fall off the bandwagon.
Here’s to that partnership,
