Many people have big dreams that scare them.
The fear of failure, rejection, or stepping into the unknown often holds us back from pursuing the life we truly desire.
Shannon Talbot, author of Breaking Free, introduces a thought-provoking exercise in her book to help people confront this fear head-on: the obituary exercise.
What Is the Obituary Exercise?
It may sound morbid, but it's incredibly powerful.
Imagine writing your own obituary today.
- What would it say about your life?
- Are you proud of the story it tells?
- Does it reflect the dreams you've chased, the risks you've taken, and the authentic life you've lived?
- Or does it highlight missed opportunities, unfulfilled potential, and dreams left unexplored?
Why It Works
The obituary exercise forces you to face the ultimate reality—we all have limited time. This perspective strips away the excuses and fears that usually dominate our decision-making.
It asks one simple, yet profound question:
"If my life ended today, would I be satisfied with how I lived?"
Thinking about the end helps clarify what truly matters. It highlights the gap between the life you're living and the life you want to live.
How to Do the Exercise
# 1. Write Your Obituary Today ✍️
Without overthinking, write what your obituary would say if you passed away today. Focus on your personal achievements, relationships, career, passions, and legacy.
# 2. Reflect 🤔
Read it back.
Are you okay with what it says?
Does it capture the life you’ve always dreamed of, or does it feel incomplete?
# 3. Identify the Gaps 🔎
What’s missing?
Maybe it’s the business you never started, the book you didn’t write, the adventures you postponed, or the relationships you neglected.
# 4. Take Action 🚀
Now that you’ve identified what’s missing, commit to making changes. Start small—take one step toward the life you want to create.
A Wake-Up Call to Live Intentionally
The purpose of this exercise isn’t to dwell on death. It’s to wake you up to life.
It challenges you to stop playing it safe, stop waiting for the “right time,” and start living boldly.
As Shannon says, "Are you going to be okay with not pursuing your dreams?"
Most people aren’t afraid of dying—they’re afraid of not truly living.
So, what will your story be?
This post was inspired by the video, Stop Living on Autopilot.