Have you ever noticed how everything seems brighter and better when you’re excited about something in the future? It’s like the anticipation of a fun event or a long-awaited vacation makes your current experience more enjoyable. 

Even though the event hasn’t happened yet, just thinking about it lifts your mood and fills you with happiness. But why does this happen? 

It’s because when you think about something positive coming up, you’re engaging your imagination. You visualize yourself in that future moment, and those thoughts trigger emotions that make you feel good right now.

This concept can be incredibly powerful when it comes to managing your mindset and emotions.

By focusing on exciting or enjoyable things in your future, you can instantly create a sense of joy and positivity in the present moment. And the best part is, you don’t need to wait for big, life-changing events to feel this way. You can get excited about the small, everyday things that bring you joy.

For example, maybe you’re looking forward to playing with your kids after a long day at work. Just imagining their laughter and the fun you’ll have together can make you feel happier in the moment. 

Or, perhaps you’re looking forward to a peaceful walk with your dog or watching a beautiful sunset. Even something as simple as the thought of climbing into bed and watching your favorite Netflix show can create a sense of calm and contentment.

The truth is, life is full of things to look forward to. You just have to be mindful of them and make the conscious choice to focus on your many blessings. It doesn’t have to be something extraordinary—everyday moments can be just as special when you take the time to appreciate them. By shifting your focus to these positive future thoughts, you can change how you feel in the present.

This is exactly the type of mindset shift that hypnotherapy and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) can help with. Through hypnotherapy, you can learn to relax and tap into your subconscious mind, where many of your thought patterns and beliefs are stored. By accessing this deeper level of the mind, you can begin to reprogram those beliefs and habits that no longer serve you. This process allows you to replace negative or limiting thoughts with more positive, empowering ones.

In NLP coaching, the focus is on understanding the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By becoming aware of how your mind works, you can start to take control of your thoughts and direct them in a way that benefits you. For instance, instead of letting your mind wander into worries or stress, you can deliberately guide it to think about things that excite you and make you feel good.

When you practice focusing on “fun future thoughts,” you are training your brain to seek out the positive in everyday life. This simple mindset shift can help you feel more optimistic and energized, no matter what’s happening around you. And by regularly using techniques from hypnotherapy and NLP, you can strengthen this habit and make it an automatic part of your thinking process.

So, why wait for something big to happen to feel happy? Start now by looking forward to the little things, and watch how it transforms your day-to-day life. The more you focus on the good things ahead, the more joy you’ll feel right now. 

Life is FULL OF things to look forward to… you just have to train yourself to see them!

Jayne Goldman, MBA, C.Ht., Founder and Principal of Best Life Hypnotherapy in Los Angeles, is a Certified Hypnotherapist and NLP Master NLP Practitioner and Coach.