The best person to ask for advice is you

No one knows what you want and how to get it better than you. Sounds so obvious, right? That’s why some people came up with an exercise where you talk to your successful double – your counterpart in another reality who already has what you want.

It’s a common sci-fi theme, a cliche theme, yet poorly explored in pop culture.

It doesn’t mean you literally cross over to some other world and confer with your double (if your double actually wants to talk to you, that is). Imagine all the wouldas couldas and shouldas hitting you when, for example, you see your successful self. A legendary pianist, while you gave up when you were ten.

Your doppelganger who has achieved exactly the kind of success you want, as we all define success differently. Money, you say, but money is just a tool to bring about the kind of reality you want. Some want to see their book turn into a bestseller and change the world; others wants to be chased by women, or master the techniques to break through the psychological barriers put up by even the smartest women. Whatever works for you.

Imagine a neutral place, like between realities. An empty room, for example. One door for you and one for your double. Be honest with yourself when you do this. No stone unturned.

Your double walks into the room. Who do you see? How do they walk? What are they wearing? How do they sound? Do they have the same accent as you? Are they the same nationality as you? A different sex, maybe? It all matters. Do you imagine your double with that cocksure swagger, commanding the room, someone whose charisma captures your attention, or someone who’d rather stay in the shadows and hates attention? What would your double say to you? Would they be proud of you? Disappointed? Indifferent? Maybe angry for wasting their time and dragging them between dimensions to chit-chat when their corporation needs them?

And vice versa. Would you be proud of your double, or disappointed? What if you expected someone way more impressive? It goes both ways. Remember that, right now, there could be your double somewhere out there in infinity, imagining you as the kind of version they want to be. Yes, you, with all your flaws and doubts. We often take things about us for granted that make us great.

Only when confronted with others who look at us, sometimes with envious eyes, sometimes admiring us, do we realize just how much we have accomplished. For example, I’m sure my cursed-to-dance-K-pop double would love to take my place. Not happening, pal. You shouldn’t have put yourself in that position.

Then again, it’s almost Halloween, so anything goes.

So, to sum it up. Don’t spend who knows how much money on life coaches, and all sorts of experts who often just want your money and will shower your mind with platitudes, pleonasms, tautologies and cliches. The best person to ask for advice is right there in front of the mirror.

Does it always work? Of course not. It’s a hit-and-miss for me, but I know several people who use this technique regularly with great results. It doesn’t cost anything. Just honesty and knowing exactly what you want. And no one ever’s going to know your deepest, perhaps, darkest, desires and dreams (aside from G-d but He can keep a secret, don’t worry).