Hello, New F, Old J, and VCPE students:

Almost every day I think about my death. It’s a brain hack. Let me explain.

Visualizing one’s last day is a Buddhist meditation. In fact there’s a mobile app called WeCroak that periodically will say out loud: “you’re going to die.” I laughed hard when I first heard about it. But I eventually realized that it could be valuable.

Imagining one’s death was a prescription in a once-popular book called Seven Habits of Highly Successful People. It advised: “begin with the end in mind.” The author felt that understanding one’s mortality helped you make decisions and prioritize time.

At your age thinking about death may seem un-natural or even morbid. For me I find that thinking about it gives perspective. Suddenly many of the stresses of my day do not seem that critical. Making time tradeoffs become easier. Most important I am better able to let go of people’s transgressions including my own.

I was only 33 when my mother died. She and I were very close. I still think about her often. Across the span of time I think about what she endured as a war refugee and what my grandparents suffered. If you were there for the My Take you know all too well about my past.

Right after she died my view of the world both sharpened and dulled. Regarding the former I was able to focus on family and friends. Regarding the latter I was able to manage my addiction to work and achievement.

Over time unfortunately I lost that perspective and again reverted to my “old ways.” But not completely.

These days some of my classmates report serious health issues. I again am trying to focus on the end of my life, and I’ve found again a new freedom. When I realize that I can always make more money or earn more blue ribbons but cannot make more time, I feel more free.

As many of you close out your HBS first year or your HBS experience altogether, I encourage you to “begin with the end in mind.” It might help you allocate your time. My hope also is that you’ll re-discover gratitude about how far you’ve come in life. Perhaps you’ll realize that you’re at a school that intentionally designs everything (while doing so imperfectly) with one goal: you.

For faculty and staff, you are our focus and source of hope.

For inspiration consider watching the above video called “The Last Lecture.” A professor learned of a terminal diagnosis and resolved to give a last lecture as a parting gift.

It’s a great video. It reminds us to live with intention. May you do so as you close out the semester, many of you for the last time.

Fondly,

Jo