Live in the present, in the here and now. Forget about the past; look forward to a better future. It feels as if our culture has developed a cult of time, and we can no longer take it for granted.

At a cognitive level, our sense of time relies on executive skills. It is believed that “all sensory channels support time perception, and it is unclear how far these representations are mediated by common structures and mechanisms.” The frontal lobes, responsible for executive control, are the last brain regions to fully develop, and they tend to degenerate quickly as we reach old age.

Children start thinking about the future as early as age four, even without fully grasping the meaning of time. Once rewards and punishments become cues for learning, they begin to feel responsible for their actions and perceive the future in terms of challenge and opportunity. Suddenly, achieving control makes sense, as they realize that the most important lessons are the ones they are capable of learning by themselves.

When in doubt, we seek certainty. When facing the unknown, we hope for the best. When we meet our expectations, we feel closer to the ideal, as the mind creates a way forward. Here's how:

Trust Your Doubts

A reasonable level of doubt can help you develop critical thinking and exercise caution when taking risks. However, research shows that high levels of self-doubt can be damaging to self-esteem. You're more likely to let yourself down if you don't trust your own judgment. That’s why it helps to anticipate difficult moments and create opportunities to act independently.

Consumer and social psychology research has shown that being certain of your beliefs enables you to express opinions more clearly, advocate for meaningful causes, and persuade others. Certainty represents a mature form of decision-making, where threats are managed and action plans are aligned with challenge.

Keep Your Hopes High

When the future looks bright, optimism becomes your guiding light. Researchers have found that "optimistic people present a higher quality of life compared to those with low levels of optimism or even pessimists." A positive outlook helps you stay engaged and resilient when facing challenges that could otherwise throw you off course.

The reason is simple: optimists expect better outcomes, feel more in control, and experience greater hope. At the same time, it’s worth noting that optimism doesn’t completely eliminate pessimism. In fact, well-being often determines which mindset takes the lead.

Meet Your Expectations

Expectations are powerful motivators, they help the mind anticipate actions that fulfill your needs. One well-known example is the placebo effect. When a treatment (saline injection) aligns with your belief in its power (e.g., pain relief), your expectations alone can create a measurable positive outcome. But how does this relate to everyday life?

The meaning of your life doesn't lie in a distant future, it always joins you along the way. If you already know what drives your development, you’re more likely to take the right actions, expand your vision, and create opportunities for others. If you’re unsure, you might still feel satisfied by taking small steps while believing you’re on the right path. However, beware of unrealistic optimism. It’s wiser to start small, build on your strengths, and learn as you go.

Embrace the Ideal

The pressure for self-actualization relies on an ideal version of the self where you can find authentic proofs for mastery. This way, you may feel more at ease when moving forward. Not being able to fulfill your ideal self would make your mind concentrate excessively on past failures and feel less happy about your achievements. Nurturing the ideal is something you shouldn't take for granted, as planning for the future is a commitment for the authentic life.