Better Money Habits

Hello “Future Me”: A visualization technique to stick to your financial goals

Setting goals is just the first step. This exercise can help you stay the course.

The exercise: Picture your financial success

Visualization helps align our subconscious with our goals. By envisioning yourself reaching your goal, you can “hack” your mind into success.
“Dear Future Me, I am writing to congratulate you…”

How? Write a letter to your future self

It may feel odd, but writing a letter (digital or hand-written) to your future self on the day you achieved your goal helps you harness the power of visualization to boost motivation. Here’s how it works:

Set a specific goal

Applying specifics to your goal gives you benchmarks to track toward and helps to hold you accountable.

I am writing to congratulate you, You paid off your credit card debt on May 1 just like you planned…

Determine how you’ll reach this goal

What steps do you assume you took to reach your goal?

  • You started a group chat for finding free local activities

  • You even found a side hustle selling old books

  • You focused on the card with the highest interest first and put $100/month towards that balance

Prepare for obstacles

What challenges do you assume you’ll have to overcome along the way?

You stayed the course:

  • That impulse to keep up with your social feed was still there, but you only spent on real needs

  • You had FOMO when your friends went to a music festival, but stuck to the plan

  • You resisted the urge to order take out after a long workday, knowing there was food at home

Visualize success

Now, imagine how you feel when you reach the goal. How do you feel about your financial situation?

You were focused - and it paid off! 

  • You feel lighter and more secure.
  •  Thank you, future me, for making me feel unstoppable!

Consider the flip side

After writing your letter visualize the consequences of not meeting your goal. While it can be painful, this too can be a strong motivator for reaching your goal.

You didn’t pay off your debt as planned, and now…

  • You feel guilty knowing you still use the credit card you wanted to pay off
  • You feel the stress of continuing to accrue interest
  • You feel down knowing you lost sight of your goal

Let this exercise spur you to success!

Take these letters out and read them when you need motivation to stay the course.

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This material is for informational use only and is not intended for financial or investment advice. Bank of America Corporation and/or its affiliates assume no liability for one’s reliance on the material provided. This material is not updated regularly and may not be current. Consult a financial professional when making financial decisions. ©2025 Bank of America Corporation.