How to Get Rich Investing in Crypto: The Psychology of Your Future Self
Most people want to get rich through crypto, but only a few truly understand the mindset required to make it happen. The secret isn’t just in buying the right coins or timing the market. It lies in how you think about your future self — a powerful psychological concept explained by Dr. Daniel Gilbert of Harvard University.
In his popular TED Talk and research, Dr. Gilbert introduced this concept:
“Most of us can remember who we were 10 years ago, but we find it hard to imagine who we're going to be. And then we mistakenly think that because it's hard to imagine, it's not likely to happen.”
When applied to cryptocurrency investing, this insight can change everything.
What Is the Psychology of Your Future Self?
Dr. Gilbert explains that humans tend to underestimate how much they’ll grow, evolve, and learn over time. We believe we’ll stay the same because we can't vividly imagine the future version of ourselves. So instead of investing in long-term goals, we chase short-term dopamine — fast money, impulsive trades, meme coins, and hype cycles.
In crypto, this mindset is dangerous. If you can’t picture your future self being rich, patient, and disciplined, you’ll sabotage your chances of getting there.
Why This Matters for Crypto Investors
Let’s say you’re 25 years old and you want to retire rich. You buy some Ethereum or Bitcoin, but after a few months, the price dips. You panic, sell at a loss, and move on. Why?
Because your present self doesn’t feel connected to your future self who would’ve thanked you for holding.
Dr. Gilbert’s work proves this:
“When people say, 'I can't imagine that,' they're usually talking about their own lack of imagination, and not about the unlikelihood of the event.”
So, your wealthy crypto future is not unlikely — it’s just unimaginable right now.
But the market doesn't care whether you can imagine it.
The market rewards those who prepare for it.
How to Apply This Psychology to Get Rich in Crypto
1. Create a vivid vision of your future self
Write down:
- How old will you be in 10 years?
- What does your ideal lifestyle look like?
- How much will your portfolio be worth?
Use this future version of you as the north star. The clearer it is, the easier it is to stay committed when the market gets tough.
2. Invest in long-term fundamentals, not short-term hype
Memecoins may give you excitement, but they rarely build sustainable wealth. Instead, look for:
- Coins with real use cases (e.g., Ethereum, Solana, Chainlink)
- Blockchain infrastructure projects
- Layer 1 and Layer 2 solutions with adoption potential
3. Delay gratification
Your brain craves quick wins. But wealth in crypto often comes from holding quality assets through market cycles.
Remember the early Bitcoin investors? They got rich not because they were smarter — but because they believed in their future self enough to hold.
4. Automate your investing behavior
Use tools like:
- Dollar-cost averaging (DCA)
- Auto-stake or auto-compounding wallets
- Portfolio trackers with future projection features
These reduce emotional decision-making and keep you aligned with long-term goals.
5. Revisit your "future self" every 3-6 months
Just like you’d review your financial plan, sit down and reflect:
- Are you still on track with your 10-year plan?
- Has your vision become clearer?
- What small behaviors today will benefit your future self?
Real Case Study: Crypto Millionaires Who Held Through Volatility
Take the example of a user who invested $5,000 in Ethereum in 2016 at around $10 per coin.
By 2021, that investment grew to over $1,000,000.
What made the difference?
They didn’t panic sell. They stayed consistent. They believed in the future.
Even when ETH dropped by 80% in 2018, they held.
That’s the power of time + belief in your future self.
Final Thought: Getting Rich in Crypto Starts With Belief
Getting rich in crypto is not a fantasy — it's a test of imagination, discipline, and delayed gratification.
If you say:
“I can’t imagine becoming a crypto millionaire,”
Remember Dr. Gilbert’s words:
That’s not a prediction — it’s just your current lack of imagination.
But your future self is waiting.
Start now. Stay consistent. Build the future version of you — one decision at a time
