Make me write something for my future self

Daniele Catalanotto
Sep 2, 2022


A Service Design Principle to help people stay on track with their decisions.

I love how often practices from one field transfer to another. For example, did you notice that many productivity software use practices from social networks. They do it, for example, with stuff like answering with an emoji, a like or a GIF. It makes boring work more fun.

As I'm using Headspace, a meditation app, the app asks me to write something nice for my future self.

Other services can steal this idea. For example, when a user reaches an essential milestone in using a service, we can motivate him to write a little note that will show in a year. It will then remind the person about her lovely past achievement.

Or in productivity software, when you mark many tasks as done, the app can even do that automatically for you. Then, on the following Monday, you receive a little notification: "Hey, last week you were particularly productive. Keep up the good work, and have a productive start in the week".

This idea works outside of complex technology. For example, you can do such reminders with a simple piece of paper you ask the person to fill, and you give it to her the next time she returns to your service. Or you can use an existing service like futureme.org (1).

So let me ask: How can you help remember achievements or past promises in the future?

Footnotes

(1) I use this website, for example, in my coaching sessions and training, where I ask participants to take a minute to write to themselves about the critical commitment they have decided to make and then get a reminder with a bravo later.

Daniele's personal notes

  • This is the second draft of this Service Design Principle.
  • The length of this principle has been reduced by 31% compared to the first draft.
  • Once adapted even more, this principle could be part of the book "Service Design Principles 201-300."
  • As always, feel free to share comments, feedback or personal stories to improve this principle.

Like 1
Deirdre Malone
Sep 2, 2022
Hi Daniel I really like the principle. At the same time we have so many tools to hand these days. Further down you mention critical commitment and promises which I feel are stronger. 

I feel like I’d want to say “make me document promises to” or make me “write down commitments for ” my
Future self  
Daniele Catalanotto
Sep 7, 2022
Thanks Deirdre, really like your title suggestions! They are even clearer :) 
Daniele Catalanotto
Oct 29, 2022

The third draft of this Service Design Principle

I open my meditation app called Headspace. There this message welcomes me: “Write a short love letter to yourself that we’ll send to you on Valentine’s day.”

This idea works outside of complex technology. For example, you can do such reminders with a simple piece of paper you ask the person to fill out and give it to her the next time she returns to your service. Or you can use an existing service like futureme.org (1). Many services can steal this idea, and we can even automate it. (2)

So let me ask you.

How can you help remember achievements or past promises in the future (1)?

Footnotes

(1) I use this website, for example, in my coaching sessions and training, where I ask participants to take a minute to write to themselves about the critical commitment they have decided to make and then get a reminder with a bravo later. — (2022). futureme. Available at https://extra.swissinnovation.academy/cc0x accessed 19 October 2022.

(2) For example, a to-do list app can automatically send you a motivating notification on the next Monday morning when you had a particularly productive week. It could for example, say: "Hey, last week you were particularly productive. Keep up the good work, and have a productive start in the week".

Daniele’s notes

  • This is the third draft of this principle.
  • I’ve reduced the length of this principle by 52 % compared to the previous draft.