I Could Have Been Great

This is not a fun realization to have when you’re old and fragile—that you had the gifts, the opportunities, but lacked the courage, the guidance, or something similar, and now it’s too late. This is the end of the line, and there’s nothing you can do about it. But if you're not sitting in a nursing home, you still have a chance—you still have the opportunity to take action.   

So, let’s start this week's article with an uncomfortable truth —you’re going to die—not someday, not in theory, but for real—soon you and everybody that knew your name will be dead and gone.   

Before you click away or distract yourself with something easier to digest, stay with us—because this week’s article isn’t about fear—it’s about freedom and liberation.

There’s a Latin phrase that we really like and have touched upon in several articles, and that also happens to be the cornerstone of Stoic philosophy and many spiritual practices: memento mori—remember you will die.

Because when you remember that your time here is finite, you stop wasting it. You stop living someone else’s life, and most importantly, you stop postponing your greatness.

We all do it. We tell ourselves we’ll start the thing when we have more time. We’ll speak our truth when the moment feels right. We’ll take the leap when we feel ready. But here’s the heartbreaking truth—later becomes never, and lack of action and courage becomes regret and bitterness. We postpone our greatness because we’re afraid and think we have time. We think we’ll be braver next year. We think clarity will come if we just wait a little longer.

So, name the thing you’ve been avoiding—the dream, the conversation, the change, and ask yourself honestly: what am I waiting for? Is it fear? Perfectionism? Approval? Then take one small step. Send the email, block the time, say the words, and begin. Let the reality of death sharpen your focus, and let it remind you that progress matters more than perfection and that action matters more than intention.

Imagine yourself at the end of your life—not to scare yourself, but to clarify. What will you wish you had done? Who will you wish you had become? Now reverse-engineer your life from that moment. What needs to change—today?

Until next time,

Scott and Lennart