Don’t forget to fill up the ice trays!

A post about planning ahead- and showing up for your Future Self  

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Just last night I was standing in the kitchen, refilling the ice trays, closing their lids and restocking  the sealed trays back in the freezer. A rather mundane, humdrum, not-so-terribly-interesting,  everyday task. But it got me thinking… 

To get ice, you can't just wish for it- you need to fill up the tray with water, place it in the freezer… and wait. The process is simple but requires action. This can serve as a metaphor for life goals  and personal growth. The small, often mundane tasks you do daily are like filling up the ice tray:  they may seem trivial in the moment, but they are essential to "showing up" for your future self. 

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The Power of Small Daily Actions:  

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Just as filling the tray is necessary to eventually have ice, the small, consistent efforts you put into  your goals- whether that’s exercising, studying or working on a skill- are necessary to see future  success. These actions, while seemingly insignificant on their own, compound over time. The  daily grind, which might feel repetitive or tedious, is the foundation upon which your future self will  stand. 

You can think of these tasks as ‘investments’ in your future. Skipping these small steps means  you won’t have ice later (or in life terms, you won’t see the outcomes you desire). It’s about  understanding that there is no instant gratification. The fruits of your labor manifest only after  consistent effort. 

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Positive Thought Processes:  

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Positive thought processes come into play when you embrace these everyday tasks as part of the  journey rather than seeing them as obstacles. Changing the way you think about these actions  can transform your approach. Instead of viewing daily efforts as boring or frustrating, recognise  them as the building blocks of your future success. 

One powerful shift in thinking is focusing on the long-term benefits of your actions. By keeping  your end goal in mind, you can more easily motivate yourself through the mundane. For example,  filling the ice tray now may not seem rewarding, but knowing that you’ll have ice when you need  it- on that terribly hot day, around the BBQ, with a glass of something bubbly and refreshingly  cold- gives you a sense of purpose. 

Gratitude can also play a role here. Instead of feeling burdened by the tasks you have to do, feel  grateful that you have the opportunity to work towards a future you want. This shift in mindset,  from obligation to opportunity, can be deeply empowering.

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Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Positive Reinforcement:  

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Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) can be a powerful tool in rewiring your brain to focus on the  positive aspects of daily work and long-term goals. NLP focuses on using language and thought  patterns to change behaviours and outcomes. In this case, using positive language and self-talk  

to reinforce your commitment to small, daily tasks will help condition your mind to see them in a  more constructive light. 

For instance, using affirmations like: 

• “Every small task I complete brings me closer to my goals.” 

_• “I am building my future success, one step at a time.” 

_• “The work I do today sets the foundation for my future.” 

These phrases can reprogram your thinking, making you more resilient and persistent. NLP can  help you replace any negative thoughts or resistance you have toward everyday work with  empowering beliefs that make the process feel more rewarding. 

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The Long-Term Benefits:  

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Just as ice needs time to form in the freezer, your efforts need time to yield results. There’s a  delayed gratification that comes with achieving goals, but when you consistently put in the work,  you’ll eventually see the results. When your future self benefits from the habits and effort you've  built today, you'll be thankful that you kept filling that metaphorical ice tray. 

By setting goals, working towards them daily and maintaining a positive mindset, you position  yourself for success. The future rewards- be it career accomplishments, personal growth or even  a sense of self-satisfaction- are all products of what you invest in today.  

It’s not always glamorous, but it’s essential, and NLP helps you cultivate a mindset that finds joy  and purpose in the process.

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