The hidden power of looking forward

Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert discovered that most of our happiness from events comes not during or after them, but in the stretch of anticipation before they happen. In a study tracking vacationers, the biggest boost in joy surfaced weeks in advance, when travelers daydreamed about sandy beaches or mountain vistas. You probably know the feeling: the thrill of booking tickets can outshine the trip itself.

This phenomenon relies on your brain’s ability to time-travel mentally. Your frontal lobe simulates future moments, triggering the same neurochemistry tied to actual pleasure. The buzz you feel imagining a hike is grounded in dopamine circuits—the very ones that fire when you’re on the trail.

But too often we skip planning until Saturday morning, leaving no runway for anticipation. By then the museum is crowded, or the trailhead closes, and the joy fizzles. Instead, block your anchor events days in advance and dedicate a few minutes each morning to savor them in your mind’s eye.

This simple ritual leverages anticipation as a long-lasting source of weekend happiness. Even if real-time hassles crop up, you’ll have already banked hours of pleasure, because excitement doesn’t vanish when traffic jams or rain showers roll in.

You’ll start by picking three weekend delights and slotting them into your calendar several days ahead. Each day before the event, sit quietly for a few minutes, imagining every detail—from the weight of a cold drink in your hand to the laughter of friends. Jot a sentence about your excitement in a journal, then notice how this practice adds a steady glow of happiness throughout your week. Try it on Wednesday for Saturday’s plan.