LIVE BY DESIGN | What if you don’t make It back home tonight? A wake-up call for executives

On Friday, I had the opportunity to speak at Tourquing with Giants, a leadership breakfast summit.

My presentation aimed to encourage leaders to pause, reflect, and hopefully inspire a shift in how they lead and live.

Here is the abbreviated version.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Mapi Mhlangu, and I want to start with a few questions:

– How many of us here today are guaranteed a day called tomorrow?

– How many of you know of a loved one, a relative, a colleague, or even a staffer who met an untimely death?

– And how many of you have contemplated what will happen to your work goals, your loved ones, or your unfinished engagements should you not make it back home tonight?

Well, ladies and gentlemen, statistics are on our side. There is a high likelihood we will make it home this evening, but let’s face it—there are no guarantees in life. As someone who has worked in the fast-paced world of journalism and media—as the editor-in-chief of Newzroom Afrika, and formerly, as the managing director and editor-in-chief of eNCA, I’ve witnessed firsthand the relentless hustle and bustle that can consume our days.

I founded an organisation called Love Legacy Dignity with my long-time business partner, Helena Dolny, because we believe that to live by design and finish strong requires intention.

Today, I am here to offer what I now know, having learnt the hard way through putting my life in danger as I worked long hours, unwell, with little regard for my health. It is mostly when there’s danger that you may lose something that you have been taking for granted that you get a wake-up call to cherish that something more carefully. In my case, it was my life. I woke up to the question posed by poet Mary Oliver: “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

It is just ONE life – but as noted by Confucius, “Your second life begins when you realise you only have one.”

Living with purpose can help focus on exactly how you would like to cherish your one wild and precious life. And as Mary Oliver so poignantly noted: “It’s okay to be uncertain.”

The urgency of reflection

Time is ticking, even as we sit here. The minutes, hours, days, months, and years of your one wild and precious life are passing us by.

Reflecting on the fragility of life is not just an exercise in sombre thoughts; it’s a wake-up call. Think about your own life. When was the last time you truly reflected on what matters most to you?

I urge you to take a moment right now to think about your priorities. What are most important roles in your life. As you ponder on all the roles, my request is to prioritise self-care. No one else can do this for you. If you want to anticipate a long life, then self-care is non-negotiable.

Yes, we hear the stories of people who smoked a lot, drank a lot and never exercised and lived to almost a hundred.

Love yourself to be able to truly love others. Are you getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and exercising? Are you pouring your energy into the things that truly matter? Or are you getting lost in the daily grind? Reflection is not merely a passive activity; it is an active choice to assess, ponder, and realign yourself with your true goals, values, and relationships.

This is where living by design begins.

Ask yourself: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?

The power of decision

Once you have reflected, the next step is decision-making. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of tasks and responsibilities, but decisions dictate the trajectory of our lives. Each small decision we make—what we prioritise, how we engage with others, how we spend our time—cumulatively shapes our future.

Ask yourself hard questions:

– Are you making decisions that align with your legacy?

– Are the choices you make at work contributing to a fulfilling career, or are you simply checking off boxes?

Your decisions should reflect the outcome of your reflections. Take charge of your life and steer it in the direction you have decided is your heart’s desire.

Taking action

After reflection and decision-making come action. What steps will you take today to live by design?

1. What do you want to accomplish?

2. What is your plan

3. Take those steps, no matter how small they may seem. Remember, it is the accumulation of tiny actions that leads to significant results.

4. Accountability can drive you forward.

The sense of urgency

As I conclude, I want to emphasise a sense of urgency. Raise your hand if you know that life is unpredictable. Now, keep your hand raised if you know someone whose life changed in an instant due to an unforeseen event.

We all have dreams, aspirations, and relationships—yet we often take them for granted.

There is no time to waste. The time is now to reflect, decide, and act. Living by design is about making the most of every single moment. It is about ensuring that you create a life that aligns with your values and goals, leaving behind a legacy that resonates.

So I ask you again: What if you don’t make it back home tonight? Will you be proud of what you left behind? Or will you wish you had acted sooner?

Thank you for your time. Let us make today count. Sekunjalo.