Our world is filled with distractions and it’s easy to lose track of time. Days blur into weeks, weeks into years, and before you know it, a decade has passed! (I can’t believe it is March now!) If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career, hesitant about making a big change, or unsure whether you’re truly living a fulfilling life, you’re not alone. A Memento Mori calendar can shift your perspective, giving you the clarity and urgency to take action.
What is a Memento Mori Calendar?
Memento Mori is a Latin phrase meaning “Remember you must die.” While it may sound morbid, this ancient Stoic practice is actually a tool for living with intention. A Memento Mori calendar visually represents the number of weeks in a typical human lifespan—around 4,000 weeks—allowing you to track time as it passes. Each week, you mark off a box, a simple act that serves as a powerful reminder: Are you making the most of your time?
Why career changers need this perspective
If you are feeling unfulfilled in your job, or considering stepping into entrepreneurship, the biggest challenge isn’t finding the right opportunity, IT’s OVERCOMING THE FEAR AND TAKE THE ACTION! A Memento Mori calendar helps you break free from overthinking and make the first step.
Here’s how this simple tool can help:
1. Creates urgency without panic
We delay career changes or opportunities, waiting for the “perfect time.” But when you see your weeks ticking by, you realise there is no perfect time, only now. Instead of endless planning, let’s start with small and strategic steps toward change.
2. Helps you prioritise what matters
Tracking the passage of time forces you to ask: Am I spending my weeks on things that truly matter? Am I designing my career around the life I want, or am I letting my career dictate my life? Instead of getting caught up in a job that drains you, you can begin focusing on skill-building, networking, or launching your side hustle.
3. Reduces fear of failure
We stay stuck because we fear making the wrong choice. But when you visualise your lifespan in weeks, failure becomes less intimidating because you realise you always have time to pivot, learn, and grow.
How to Use a Memento Mori Calendar for Career & Personal Growth
Step 1: Get a visual representation of your life
You can download my online tracker or print a Memento Mori calendar. Mark each week that has passed. The simple act of shading a box builds awareness of time’s passage.
Step 2: Reflect on how you’re spending your time
At the end of each month, ask yourself:
- Did I take action toward my career or personal goals?
- Did I invest time in learning new skills or expanding my network?
- Did I prioritize work that aligns with my values?
Step 3: Adjust your strategy
Use your insights to course-correct. Pilots constantly make small course corrections throughout the flight rather than waiting until the end. Even a slight deviation from the intended path can lead to a significant error over time. If you notice patterns of procrastination or avoidance, make small shifts, whether that’s setting up an informational interview, signing up for a coaching session, or testing a freelance opportunity. By adjusting frequently, you ensure yourself stay on track and reach their destination efficiently.
Step 4: Embrace imperfection and progress
Not every week will be productive, and that’s okay. The goal is to maintain awareness and keep moving forward, rather than getting stuck in regret.
Final Thoughts: Turning Time Awareness Into Action
To me, a Memento Mori calendar is helps me to visualise we should make the most of life. Honestly, we don’t know how many weeks left. But when you track your weeks, you stop waiting for clarity, motivation, or the right circumstances. Instead, you take ownership of your time, your choices, and your career journey.
So, as you fill in this week’s box, ask yourself: What small step can I take today that my future self will thank me for?
You can download and personalise your Memento Mori Calendar here
Want to take action on your career transition? I offer career transformation coaching to help professionals break free from limiting beliefs and create a career that aligns with their values. Book a session with me here.
