Savor Discipline: Merge the Interests of Your Future & Present Selves

Babauta says discipline often feels like a conflict between what present you wants now and what future you will want later. Instead of letting one side simply win, he suggests merging the interests of both selves and finding an option they can both accept.

Reading notes

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• He frames self-discipline as a recurring conflict, using the cinnamon roll as the example of immediate desire versus later regret.
• He argues that future self has many versions across time, so present choices affect more than just one later moment.
• He proposes “Savor Discipline” as a method for avoiding junk food and applying discipline more broadly.
• The first step is to consider what future you would want, using past regret over junk food as evidence.
• The second step is to consider present you more fully, since present self has interests beyond immediate pleasure, including health, mindfulness, gratitude, success, and learning.
• The third step is to merge the interests of both selves by taking turns or finding a third option both would like.
• He defines Savor Discipline as not simply choosing the pastry or sacrificing unhappily, but finding something to savor in the present moment.
• He gives examples such as berries, a walk, a book, music, helping someone else, or creating something, all approached with mindful enjoyment.
• He says savoring ordinary things can make them feel as enjoyable as junk food, and future self will benefit from that choice.