Why Talking to Your Future Self Helps You Act Now With: Dr. Bertalan Mesko

Dr. Bertalan Mesko, Director of The Medical Futurist Institute, reveals how vision writing and the concept of “future selves” can dramatically impact our present-day decisions. In this segment, he shares how imagining yourself in future scenarios—whether as a parent, professional, or even a teenager with braces—can create emotional alignment and long-term motivation. Vision writing isn't a rigid forecasting tool, but a narrative-driven method to make future thinking more personal and actionable. Healthcare professionals and digital health strategists may find particular value in the psychological dimension of foresight, as it supports not just innovation planning but also behavior change—an underutilized lever in organizational and patient transformation.

About the Guest

Dr. Bertalan Mesko, PhD, is Director of The Medical Futurist Institute and a global thought leader on how emerging technologies shape the future of healthcare. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bertalanmesko/)

Notable Quote

"Vision writing isn't about prediction—it's about emotional clarity through storytelling."

Key Takeaways

  • Vision writing helps translate future goals into present action
  • Future self-thinking fosters long-term motivation and clarity
  • Emotional engagement strengthens strategic foresight

Transcript Summary

 

What is vision writing and how does it work?

Vision writing places you in the shoes of someone in the future. For example, you might imagine writing the agenda for a future art and AI festival. It’s about creating emotional clarity through narrative, not hard forecasting.

How do you personally use future self-thinking?

I make daily "deals" with my future selves. When I go to the gym or choose what tasks to complete, I think about how my future self will appreciate my actions today.

Can future thinking help kids too?

Yes. I used the concept with my daughter to help her deal with getting braces. Imagining how her future teenage self would appreciate today’s sacrifice helped ease her discomfort.

About the Series

AI and Healthcare—with Mika Newton and Dr. Sanjay Juneja is an engaging interview series featuring world-renowned leaders shaping the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine.

Dr. Sanjay Juneja, a hematologist and medical oncologist widely recognized as “TheOncDoc,” is a trailblazer in healthcare innovation and a rising authority on the transformative role of AI in medicine.

Mika Newton is an expert in healthcare data management, with a focus on data completeness and universality. Mika is on the editorial board of AI in Precision Oncology and is no stranger to bringing transformative technologies to market and fostering innovation.

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