The Multiverse
How can imagining infinite versions of ourselves in different universes help us to make better decisions?
I know, wormholes, meeting versions of ourselves in different universes, breaking time paradoxes, and Marvel films. A huge following and amount of intrigue surround these concepts, at our current level of human knowledge, they’re unrealistic and deemed scientifically impossible.
Hypothetically, what if they weren’t?
Even more hypothetically, what if the “you” in Universe X Æ A-Xii is doing so much better than you are? Yes, that’s the name of Elon’s kid. Sounds realistic though, right?!
Without becoming too embroiled in quantum mechanics, and decisions we’ve made in the past that we can’t change, how can we use this exercise to assess our lives and any decisions we could face?
Let’s say infinitely many versions of you exist on a scale from 0-100.
At the 0 end of the scale sits the version of you who achieves no success in life based on metrics and values that you find important. That could be wealth, happiness, love, or purpose. Swap “success” out for anything you can imagine.
Consider this example at the low end of the scale. What decisions did the version of you make to end up here? Did they not pursue fear or discomfort in life, or did they get too comfortable? Perhaps they drank too much beer, ate too many Cheetos, lied constantly, or built no meaningful relationships in life. The list of potential reasons is endless. But it’s worth considering. If you can think of any characteristics this version could possess or decisions they could have made, the version of you reading this can then avoid them.
Ask yourself in your own life, in what ways am I trending towards the low end of the scale, and how can I change this? Even use some probabilities and expected value calculations if you’re that way inclined. But, even asking yourself the question sets you in the right direction.
Now, take the positive end of the scale. You at 100%. All the ribbons and riches. Maybe you even have a crown. So full of wealth you don’t have enough time to spend it all. What characteristics could this version of you show? What decisions did they make to get here?
Now, this could be a double-edged sword. Some people have everything and are insanely unhappy. In “The Success”, I wrote about Michael Phelps, the most successful Olympian of all time. He was unhappy because he was defined by swimming. But he was so much more. A Father, a Husband, a Son. Maybe the 100% version of you grinded so hard to get there, that you turn around, and realise you’re there alone. Doesn’t sound like the 100% version of you at all.
So, on a scale of you, maybe we should instead focus on the average. What does the iteration of you at 50% look like? How did you get here?
Now, how could you turn yourself from a 50% version to a 51%? Compounded over time, and you’re spending your life forever besting the average you. Maybe that’s writing for an extra hour, to then reward yourself with a sweet treat. You could spend an extra hour pursuing your purpose, to then meet a friend or family member for your favourite hobby or an evening relaxing. It’s a good balance but you’re forever moving forward.
Concluding Remarks
I think there are reasons to consider this exercise and to think about how can I be better than the average me. I don’t think I want to sit at the 100% end of the scale. It sounds lonely and too heavy a focus on visible success, without the things that are less easy to see, like love, connection, and happiness. Plus, when our time comes, we can’t take anything we’ve earned with us, so we should enjoy every moment that presents itself to us. By overcommitting too much to certain aspects of life, aiming to reach the 100-end, we’ll naturally cast some of these present moments aside.
I also don’t want to sit at the 0-end of the scale. That sounds unfulfilling and lazy. What I do want to improve every day.
I guess I’m trying to tell myself that consistent effort over time compounds, and this should encourage me to not try too hard, but to at least try. To ensure there’s time to live, laugh, and love, like everybody’s Mother and Grandma has pinned up on a shitty picture in their kitchen. It might be a quote worthy of the meme, but it’s true.
There’s something good about being slightly above average. In one of my first-ever posts, I wrote about not being special. Treat this as a follow-up. You’re not special, but you could be a miniscule amount above average, and that’s ok.
I know I’m guilty of that as well, where I set my sights high then stress and overwork and burnout in a few weeks. Which is why I’m trying to change what I’m actually striving for, because I can still put in the same amount of effort, but if it’s towards hobbies I love and relationships with people I care about, I don’t have that same overworked and burnt out feeling!
I appreciate where you’re going and think you’re right, aiming for 100% riches is probably wrong. But I think this should be reframed to still aim at 100. Instead of riches, redefine whatever “success” is for you. Maybe it's being a great business person, or super well-published academic, or the best and most involved parent you can be. Whatever fits your fancy as success, will be different from someone else, and that's ok. But still shoot for 100 to be the best version that you can be.