Friday Coffee with MAP – January 24 2025

"It’s Called a Premortem—and It’s the Most Productive Thing You’ll Do All Year"

Hello , and welcome to Friday Coffee with MAP!

Life is infinitely complex and extremely unpredictable. Time seems to fly by. And no matter how enthusiastically we pursue our goals, it is easy to let life’s chaos blur our sense of intention and numb our sense of urgency. This week’s article delves into an intriguing new goal-realization technique that pushes us to step into the shoes of our future selves, reflecting on what we might regret not achieving or striving for. We believe this approach offers a compelling way to reframe how we live with purpose and intention.

Happy reading!

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Entrepreneur Ron Schaich has embraced a unique approach to goal setting at the start of the year: the “Premortem.” This method involves imagining himself on his deathbed, reflecting on what he would feel most proud of and what he might regret. These reflections then shape his actions and growth for the year ahead.

“I imagine my body old and fragile, my life energy almost extinguished,” he writes “I try to evoke the feelings I want to have in that moment—a sense of peace, completion and, most importantly, self-respect. Then I ask myself: What am I going to do now to ensure that when I reach that ultimate destination, I’ve done what I need to do?”

It’s a habit that began as a response to the death of his parents in the 1990s. His father was regretful about decisions he had made and the opportunities he had missed. Ron’s has used that jarring experience to live with intention.

The premortem has become such a crucial part of Ron’s life that he has made it an organizational framework at his companies. He asks them to picture where they want to be in three-to-five years, and how they will get there. He calls this “future-back” planning. He has seen his colleagues progress faster as a result.

In a work setting, the “Premortem” has useful applications as a proactive strategy aimed at improving project success by identifying potential points of failure before they occur. By imagining how and why a project might go wrong, teams can address risks and implement solutions early, ensuring the project proceeds smoothly.

A premortem offers a chance to do the same with your life, while you have a chance to change its course. Don’t wait until the end to decide if you are proud of your life. Take action while you can still do something about it.


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So tell us: What does living with intention mean to you? Does this “premortem” concept resonate with you?

Thank you,

The MAP Team

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