Abstract
Possible selves are the future-oriented pieces of self-concept — hoped-for and feared identities that give goals a face and organise what a person tries today, before that self is already true.
Markus, H., & Nurius, P. (1986). American Psychologist, 41(9), 954–969. DOI
Key findings
- Working future — A possible self is a cognitive scaffold, not a costume you put on after the habits exist.
- Approach and avoid — Hoped-for and feared selves both steer present behaviour.
Application
When you can name who you are becoming and still wait to be that person first, treat the future identity as a scaffold for habits now. Pair Identity scaffolding.