Premortem for Healthy Aging

I was reading the WSJ article on Ron Shaich, founder of Panera Bread. He practices an annual "premortem," envisioning his deathbed perspective to set intentional goals for the next three to five years. This reflective practice, inspired by his parents' contrasting end-of-life experiences, guides his personal and professional development, emphasizing long-term planning over short-termism.

Gary Klein developed the PreMortem Method of Risk Assessment in 2007. I feel using a premortem approach to aging can help individuals envision potential pitfalls of their later years and take proactive, actionable steps to mitigate risks, ensuring a more intentional, resilient, and fulfilling aging process.

By imagining potential pitfalls or failures in aging healthily, an individual can proactively plan and take steps to mitigate these risks. This will enable healthy aging by creating empowerment.

Here's how to simple guide to try this approach:

Steps to Use Premortem for Healthy Aging

1. Visualize the End-State:

   • What are the aspects of aging that represent "failure" for you (e.g., chronic illness, dependency on others)?

   • Imagine yourself at an advanced age, facing the challenges you fear most (e.g., poor health, limited mobility, cognitive decline, loneliness).

2. Identify Potential Causes:

   • What are these choices? 

   • Reflect on the lifestyle choices, habits, or external factors that might lead to this outcome.

   • For example:

     • Poor diet and lack of exercise could lead to obesity or diabetes.

     • Social isolation might result in loneliness or depression.

     • Not planning financially could lead to a lack of resources for healthcare.

3. Develop Preventative Strategies:

   • What can you do now? For each identified risk, outline actionable steps you can take now to reduce or eliminate it. 

   • Examples include:

     • Diet & Exercise: Commit to regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and maintaining a healthy weight.

     • Mental Health: Build a strong social support network, engage in hobbies, and practice mindfulness or meditation.

     • Cognitive Health: Stay mentally active through reading, puzzles, or learning new skills.

     • Healthcare Planning: Schedule regular check-ups and prioritize preventive care.

     • Financial Health: Save for retirement, invest wisely, and plan for healthcare costs.

4. Set Milestones:

   • How can you do it? Define short- and long-term goals that align with your vision of healthy aging.

   • Examples:

     • Walk 10,000 steps daily by the end of the month.

     • Have a complete health check-up within the next year.

     • Join a social club or volunteer group in the next three months.

5. Revisit and Adjust:

   • How can you make it better? Periodically revisit your "premortem" to assess progress and refine strategies.

   • Life circumstances and priorities change, so adjust goals and actions accordingly.

Benefits of a Premortem for Healthy Aging

• Encourages proactive, intentional living.

• Helps identify risks you might overlook otherwise.

• Motivates behavioral changes to reduce future regret.

• Fosters a holistic view of health—physical, mental, social, and financial.

By regularly using the premortem approach, you can stay ahead of challenges, align your daily habits with long-term health goals, and ultimately increase the likelihood of aging gracefully and healthily.