The Power of a Personal Premortem: How Thinking Like Your Future Self Changes Everything
Instead of looking back with regret, what if you could spot mistakes before they happen? A personal premortem helps you make better decisions today by thinking like your future self. Here’s how it works.
The Power of a Personal Premortem: How Thinking Like Your Future Self Changes Everything
Most people run postmortems after something goes wrong. But what if you could skip the regret phase and spot mistakes before they happen?
That’s the idea behind the premortem—a strategy often used in business to identify risks before they derail a project. But it doesn’t just apply to work. What if we applied it to life?
I first came across this idea through Ron Shaich, founder of Panera Bread, who swears by it. Instead of chasing short-term wins, he asks himself:
What actions can I take now to ensure I respect the life I’ve lived?
It’s a mindset shift that forces you to think beyond today’s to-do list and focus on what actually matters.
My Personal Premortem Process
Lately, I’ve been trying to integrate this into my daily life. It’s changed the way I approach everything.
Here’s how I run my own personal premortem:
Fast forward my life. Picture myself at 80. What will I wish I had done differently?
Spot regrets early. What am I putting off or avoiding?
Make a bold move today. What would future me tell myself to start doing—or stop doing?
The biggest realization? Most of what feels urgent today won’t matter later. But the things that do—relationships, health, meaningful work—require daily attention.
Why This Matters
I love studying companies, founders, and decision-makers because success leaves patterns. The best leaders don’t just think one step ahead—they think decades ahead.
The same is true in life. We all have blind spots, distractions, and excuses. But if you step into the mindset of your future self, you see things differently.
So here’s the question: What’s one shift you can make today that future you will thank you for?