Last updated on December 2, 2025
As we embark on this new year, I’m reminded of the importance of being prepared for the unexpected. As of today, NATO has officially recommended that we have a flashlight that can last for three days in case of an attack by Russia or another rogue state. While this may seem like an extreme measure, it’s crucial to be proactive in safeguarding our well-being.
Speaking of unexpected events, Croatia recently announced a potential hurricane and 30cm of snow. While we’re all safe here in Rijeka, this situation serves as a reminder to be prepared for any eventuality. After all, “SNAFU” stands for “Situation Normal, All F***ed Up.”
So, as we transition back to work mode, let’s not forget to prioritize our time wisely. Here’s a thought-provoking interview with my mentor, Steven J. Manning, who emphasizes the importance of making conscious choices that align with our life goals.
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Don’t let your New Year’s resolutions fade into oblivion. Take action! Pursue that new job, enrol in that training course, or start that business you’ve been dreaming of. As Steven aptly puts it, “LIFE IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL…”
I encourage you to listen to our insightful conversation and embrace his wisdom to navigate the ever-changing landscape of life.
Here’s to a year of resilience, purpose, and meaningful action!
More of that below if you want to listen or watch us discussing this and many lessons from his many Billions in Commerce and Millions of air miles…
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His situation serves as a reminder to be prepared for any eventuality. After all, “SNAFU” stands for “Situation Normal, All F***ed Up.”
So, as we transition back to work mode, let’s not forget to prioritize our time wisely. Here’s a thought-provoking interview with my mentor, Steven J. Manning, who emphasizes the importance of making conscious choices that align with our life goals.
Life is Not a Dress Rehearsal
Don’t let your New Year’s resolutions fade into oblivion. Take action! Pursue that new job, enrol in that training course, or start that business you’ve been dreaming of. As Steven aptly puts it, “LIFE IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL…”
I encourage you to listen to our insightful conversation and embrace his wisdom to navigate the ever-changing landscape of life.
Here’s to a year of resilience, purpose, and meaningful action!
More of that below if you want to listen or watch us discussing this and many lessons from his many Billions in Commerce and Millions of air miles.
Unlock a Curated, Ad-Free Archive
You’ve just read the insights from this classic interview. Get a 2x new, curated, ad-free classic from our 500+ episode archive delivered to you every week (plus all new episodes uncut) by joining the MONDAY INFLUENCER community today.
Join MONDAY INFLUENCER NowFull Transcript: Life Is Not A Dress Rehearsal
Nat Schooler: Welcome back to another episode. I am joined by the wonderful Steven J. Manning. How are you doing, sir?
Steven J. Manning: I am doing superb, Nathaniel. Thank you.
Nat Schooler: Excellent. Well, today we are talking about something that is very dear to your heart. It’s actually a saying that you have, and you’ve had it for a long time. It is: “Life is not a dress rehearsal.”
Steven J. Manning: It is. You know, I’ve used that phrase—I coined that phrase—many, many years ago. I’ve used it in my writings, I’ve used it in public speaking, and I use it in consulting. And it sounds like a cute soundbite, but it really isn’t. It is a fundamental truth that so many people ignore.
Here is the reality: You do not get a do-over. You just don’t. Every minute that ticks by is gone. It’s in the history books. You cannot retrieve it. You cannot change it. You can’t edit it. It is what it is.
And when people go through life, whether it is in their business career or their personal life, and they treat it as if, “Well, I’ll fix it later,” or “I’m just going to mark time now,” or “I’m going to kill some time”—I hate that expression! “Killing time” is murder. You are murdering your life.
So, the concept of “Life is not a dress rehearsal” means you have to be present, you have to be conscious, and you have to understand that every decision you make, every action you take—or fail to take—has a consequence. And that consequence is etched in stone.
Nat Schooler: Yeah, absolutely. I think people forget that time is the only resource that we cannot buy more of. We can make more money, we can buy more things, but we cannot buy more time.
Steven J. Manning: That is exactly right. It is the great equalizer. It doesn’t matter if you are the wealthiest person on the planet or if you are struggling to get by. Everyone gets exactly the same amount of time in a day: 24 hours. There are no rollover minutes. You don’t get to bank it and use it next week. It’s use it or lose it.
And so, when I look at executives, when I look at entrepreneurs, and I see them procrastinating, or I see them focusing on the trivial rather than the critical, I remind them: This isn’t a practice run. The curtain is up. The audience is there. You are on stage. Perform.
Nat Schooler: I love that. “Perform.” It really puts the pressure on, but in a good way. It’s about accountability.
Steven J. Manning: It is accountability. And it’s also about choices. You know, life is a binary code in many respects. It’s ones and zeros. If you choose to do A, you inherently choose not to do B. You can’t be in two places at once. You can’t focus on two disparate things simultaneously—multitasking is a myth, by the way.
So, if life is not a dress rehearsal, you better make sure that the script you are acting out is the one you want to be remembered for. Are you doing what matters? Are you moving the needle? Or are you just shuffling papers and waiting for the weekend?
Because I’ll tell you something, Nathaniel, the tragedy isn’t death. The tragedy is getting to the end and realizing you never actually lived. You just rehearsed for a life that never happened.
Nat Schooler: That is powerful. “Rehearsed for a life that never happened.” I think that’s going to resonate with a lot of people listening. So, what is the first step? If someone realizes they’ve been treating life like a rehearsal, how do they switch gears?
Steven J. Manning: The first step is awareness. Stop looking at the calendar as something endless. Look at today. What are you going to do today that matters? Not what you’re going to do next year.
And then, take a risk. The biggest regret people have is not the things they did and failed at; it’s the things they never tried. The business they never started. The conversation they never had. The trip they never took. Stop waiting for the “perfect time.” The lighting is never going to be perfect. The script is never going to be perfect. The other actors might miss their cues. But you have to go out there and give it everything you’ve got right now.
Because, again, when the curtain comes down, there is no encore. This is it.
Nat Schooler: “There is no encore.” Steven, as always, absolute wisdom. Thank you for sharing that with us today.
Steven J. Manning: My pleasure, Nathaniel. Make it count.
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