When I was diagnosed with cancer, the outlook wasn’t good. On a good day, I thought I might have two years left.
Around that time, my wealth manager, Wikus Marais, asked me to plan for the future.
I said, “There isn’t really a future to plan for.” And he replied:
“Give yourself permission to live another 20 years.”
It’s a simple idea, but it changed everything. When you think in longer time horizons, your behaviour shifts. You plan differently. You take better care of yourself.
At Reset, we see this often:
Short horizons lead to small decisions.
Long horizons lead to better ones.
That conversation happened ten years ago. And I’m still here.
So let me ask you:
If you gave yourself permission to live another 20 years… what would you do differently?
And just as importantly—what would you do to protect those years?
Which brings us to something worth noting this month.
March is Prostate Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
Cancer often develops quietly. By the time symptoms appear, it can already be advanced.
But this is where screenings make a real difference.
When caught early: outcomes improve,options expand, and quality of life is often far better.
In many cases, it’s the difference between reacting late—and acting early.
Which makes screenings one of the simplest ways to give yourself not just more years, but better ones.
Book recommendation
The Good Ancestor by Roman Krznaric
This book asks a simple but important question:
What would we do differently if we thought beyond our own lifetime?
It challenges short-term thinking and encourages us to take a longer view—of our decisions, our impact, and what we leave behind.
A thoughtful companion to the idea of giving yourself another 20 years…
and then asking what those years are truly for.
Q&A
What if I feel completely fine—do I still need screenings?
Yes.
Screenings are designed to detect issues before symptoms appear—when intervention is simpler and outcomes are better.
Think of it as staying ahead, not reacting.
(If you have a question for Johann, simply reply to this email or send it through to [email protected])
Free resource
Preventative health screenings by age (UCLA Health)
Quick bites
At 65, you likely have decades ahead
In developed countries, a 65-year-old can expect to live another 18–22 years on average.Cancer often develops quietly
Some cancers can grow for years before symptoms appear.Early detection improves outcomes
When caught early, treatment is often simpler and more effective.
Feel good
Expand your time horizon
Final thought, try this.
Give yourself permission to think long term.
Then back it up with one simple action—book a screening, or take a small step toward your future health.
A longer life is shaped quietly, over time.
Often, it starts with something as simple as this.
Regards,
Johann
“Health is the crown on the well person’s head that only the ill person can see.”
