At the heart of the Healthy Wealthy Longevity philosophy is the belief that intentionality shapes the trajectory of our lives. This principle finds a powerful ally in a concept explored by entrepreneur Ron Shaich in his book Know What Matters: Lessons from a Lifetime of Transformations. Shaich, the visionary entrepreneur behind Panera Bread, has used an annual ritual called a “premortem” to design a life aligned with his long-term goals.

Shaich describes his premortem as a ritual where he imagines himself on his deathbed as a tool to connect to the essence of what truly matters today: the relationships he cultivates, the work he accomplishes, and the ways he contributes to society. He explains that this exercise is more than just reflection—it is a practice that sets strategic guideposts for long-term success by creating deliberate, actionable goals that harmonize with his ultimate vision.

In Healthy Wealthy Longevity, we call this active intention. It’s not enough to passively wish for health, happiness, or wealth. You must consciously design your life to support these outcomes by focusing on small, consistent actions that compound over time—what the book refers to as “thinking small and upstream”—in the areas of your life you deem most important.

Don’t Wait for Your Deathbed or Annual Reviews

Shaich’s premortem is a powerful tool, but why wait to imagine yourself on your deathbed to better inform your decisions today? In my book, I encourage you to envision your 80- or 90-year-old self as a vibrant, engaged senior for advice. What advice would your older self offer you to help you make better choices today? Choices so that when you are on your deathbed, you simply say, “My life has been a dream.”

And why wait for an annual review or ritual? I am critical of annual rites of passage. Why wait a year to better align your thoughts, decisions, and actions with long-term goals that will result in a happier, healthier, wealthier life? Waiting for an annual ritual can leave you disconnected from the small, daily actions that drive real change. Every day presents an opportunity to reflect and reaffirm your active intention and take the actions that will make the difference over the long term.

I suggest using daily journaling to control, focus, and direct your mind toward what you want from life. Daily journaling provides an opportunity to stay present, track progress, and adjust course in real-time. It’s not about grand, sweeping changes—it’s about staying grounded in the here and now while keeping your long-term vision in mind.

Imagine starting each day with prompts like these:

    • What one action can I take today to improve my health?

    • What small step can I take to strengthen a key relationship?

    • How can I spend my time in alignment with my highest priorities?

These micro-reflections allow you to take meaningful actions every day, rather than waiting for a yearly review to correct course. As Healthy Wealthy Longevity highlights, compounding small efforts is the secret to big results.

Creating a Dream Life Through Intention

Both Shaich’s premortem practice and Healthy Wealthy Longevity emphasize that a life well-lived is no accident—it’s the result of deliberate effort. When you picture your future self, still active and engaged, the decisions you make today gain clarity. By aligning your daily actions with your ultimate vision, you set the stage for a life you’ll proudly reflect on.

Whether you call it a premortem or active intention, the idea is the same: craft a vision for your future and reverse-engineer your actions today to ensure you achieve it. Shaich’s annual ritual and the principles of Healthy Wealthy Longevity remind us that living with intention is not just a strategy for success—it’s the secret to a fulfilled, meaningful life.

So, as we step into the new year, adopt a practice that works for you! Whether it’s a premortem or a daily journaling practice, the difference is when you take the action. By starting today, you can craft a future where your best years are still ahead—and where you can cherish every moment as part of the incredible journey. After all, as Shaich puts it, “Don’t wait until the end to decide if you are proud of your life. Do it while you can still do something about it.” Give yourself the chance to say at the end, “My life has been a dream.”