As teachers, we’re constantly busy—planning lessons, grading, emailing parents, attending meetings… it never ends!
Well lately, I’ve been doing something I call “Helping Future You.” It’s a simple mindset of doing things today to help Future Me tomorrow.
It’s simple, but surprisingly powerful. Let me explain why it works.
Future You Is Busy, Too!
When things get busy, it’s easy to pile tasks on Future You. How many times have you told yourself, “I can do that tomorrow before class.”? Seems easy enough. But you’re forgetting that Future You is busy, too. Not to mention the random “emergencies” that always seem to pop up at the most inconvenient times.
The last-minute meeting. The dreaded copy machine meltdown. The student who needs to ask you “something important.” And then the bell rings, and you’re out of time. Again.
Why Think About Future You?
When you start thinking think of Future You as a real person, everything shifts. Instead of picturing a super-powered version of yourself, you see Future You as someone just like you. A person who is tired, busy, and needing help.
And that makes you want to help them.
You’re not just being responsible; you’re doing something kind for another person, and it’s super motivating. When you prep lessons early, clear your desk, or refill supplies, it feels like you’re taking care of someone special.
And you are.
That someone is you, just a little bit down the road, grateful you made their day easier.
Real Examples of Helping Future You
To make it easier, I’ve put together a list of simple, realistic ways you can start helping Future You today. I’ve also created a Helping Future You Teacher Checklist you can print out or save on your devices. Subscribe below for your FREE copy!
1. Prepping something small today
- Printing and copying tomorrow’s worksheets before you go home.
- Setting out materials for the first class of the day.
- Updating your sub plans folder.
- Laying out clothes or packing your lunch the night before.
Future You: Wow, I’m already ahead today. Thanks, Past Me.
2. Tidying up before you leave
- Clearing your desk.
- Resetting student supplies.
- Leaving your digital tabs organized.
Future You: Look at this peaceful desk. Past Me really cared.
3. Writing it down now
Forgetting is easy when your brain is juggling 101 things. Future You loves:
- Adding that parent message to tomorrow’s reminders.
- Writing the idea for next week’s lesson before it evaporates.
- Adding deadlines to a calendar instead of trying to remember them.
4. Doing the hard thing first
Sometimes the best gift is finishing something you’ve been avoiding:
- Sending that uncomfortable email.
- Finishing grading for one class.
- Uploading grades before the deadline.
Future You: I could kiss Past Me on the forehead for this!
5. Making routines that support tomorrow
- A 5-minute clean-up at the end of the day.
- A “Friday refresh” where you reset your desk and planner.
- A Sunday night check-in to glance at your week (not plan—it’s quick).
6. Celebrating the wins
Helping Future You isn’t just tasks. It’s emotional, too:
- Leaving yourself encouraging notes.
- Saving a student compliment or thank-you note for a low-energy day.
- Choosing rest over guilt.
Future You: Past Me understood what I needed.
Why This Matters
Teaching is a service. It’s easy to give everything to students and leave nothing for yourself. Thinking in terms of “Future You” re-frames your day:
🟣 You’re not procrastinating, you’re preparing.
🟣 You’re not behind, you’re building margin.
🟣 You’re practicing self-compassion in a practical way.
This mindset creates momentum and protects your energy—one small action at a time.
A Quick Challenge for Teachers
Today, pick one 2-minute action to help Future You:
- Send one email
- Set one thing out
- Clean one surface
- Write one reminder
Then tomorrow, notice how it feels.
Let Future You look back and say,
“Thanks, Past Me. I really needed that.”
Future You is Grateful
At the end of the day, helping “Future You” doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s as simple as having the right tools ready before you need them. That’s exactly why I create resources for helping busy teachers like me.
I invite you to shop all my teacher-friendly resources, like the Teacher’s Task Checklist and my Substitute Teacher Notes forms. And of course, if there’s anything Present You needs, just ask, and I’ll be happy to create it for you!.
I hope this post finds you well, in the present and future!
