2 min read

What Happens Before You Die?

Steve Jobs used to have this exercise, everyday he would look in the mirror and ask himself...
What Happens Before You Die?
Photo by Md Mahdi / Unsplash

Most people only accept an idea in their mind once they either trust it is scientifically accurate or if it is something they believe is true.

But I think one of the most important ways to think is to do none of those.

It is to do something that we all do as kids.

It’s to play make-believe.

Set up some rules inside your head, and create an absurd situation inside those rules.

Just like a dream.

And allow yourself to live in that dream for a while.

And truly feel that.

Just like any dream, there are also nightmare scenarios.

Sometimes, having 30 min to believe in an idea without questioning it completely can teach you a lot about yourself.

So let me create a scenario now for you to do that.

You have a rare disease, with no cure, you are dying in less than 3 weeks.

Picture that. What will you do before you die?

You just got the news, how does your body feel? Do you shake? Do you go Numb?

From now on, what happens before you Die?

What actions would you take today?

What about tomorrow?

How would you plan your week?

Would you say something that you hold deep inside to someone?

Would you be silent?

Would you easily accept it?

Are you happy right now?

Are you devastated?

I would like for you all to write down what you would do in that situation.

And now that you wrote it down, look at it, and feel the relief of knowing this isn't the case. And yet, how will this make-believe play change the way you live your life from now on?

You don't need to have an answer now. It's just something to think about.

Steve Jobs used to have this exercise, everyday he would look in the mirror and ask himself "If today was the last day of my life, would I do what I'm about to do today?".

If the answer was "no" for too many days in a row, he knew he had to change something.

What will you change?

What will you choose to focus on?

Thanks for reading, and be safe.


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