From future vision to current action: The relationship between future self-identification and goal achievement

An increasing body of research suggests that people's sense of identification with their future self is beneficial for goal achievement. However, the direction of this relation has not been explored, and it is unclear to what extent each of the three future self-identification components—vividness, connectedness, or valence—drives goal achievement. The present study investigated the relationship of each component with goal achievement longitudinally and experimentally by testing whether an intervention ( FutureU ) designed to enhance future self-identification affected these relationships. A randomized controlled trial ( Clinicaltrials.gov : NCT05578755) was conducted among first-year university students (89.4% female, M age = 19.59 years, SD = 2.25), who were assigned to a goal-setting control condition, the FutureU smartphone application condition, or the FutureU virtual reality condition. Results indicated that vividness of the future self, and to a lesser extent connectedness to the future self, positively predicted goal achievement, whereas valence toward the future self showed no effect. Initial goal achievement also positively predicted both vividness and connectedness, with weaker effects. Associations were similar across all three conditions, indicating that these associations were not affected by the FutureU intervention. These results suggest that vividly imagining one's future self, in particular, contributes to achieving self-selected goals. • Future self-identification components relate differently to goal achievement. • Vividly imagining the future self is most strongly linked to goal achievement. • Connectedness contributes to a lesser extent to goal achievement. • Valence, or feelings toward the future self, does not predict goal achievement. • Goal achievement may also strengthen future self-identification.