Before Caesar crossed the Rubicon, he offered one final compromise with the Optimates, the group in power in Rome lead by Pompey and Cato, among others. Pompey was ready to agree until his mind was changed by Cato’s arguments. Cicero, angry with Cato, said, “An inflexible position is a mistake. It won’t work with a man (Caesar) who is afraid of nothing and ready for anything.”

It’s called premeditatio malorum. (the pre-meditation of evils or, as we might call it today, negative visualization). It’s an exercise of imagining what could go wrong or be taken away. It helps prepare oneself for life’s inevitable setbacks. Not everything is as clean and straightforward as we think it should be. We must prepare psychologically ourselves for setbacks to happen. It is a powerful exercise.

Negative Visualization in Probate Court

I recently appeared in Probate Court. After my original filings, in a conference with the court’s staff, they insisted that I file additional documents and change some of my original filings. After I complied, I scheduled my hearing.

I expected resistance from the Judge. ‘Plan A’ involved my testimony and offering the Order to be signed by the Judge. I had two witnesses with me in case that didn’t work. I had additional documentation in case that didn’t work. I had a third witness on standby if that didn’t work. You get the idea.

Seneca, a Senator of Rome and Counsel to the Emperor, would begin by reviewing his plans, say, to take a trip. In his head he would go over the things that could go wrong. “Nothing happens to the wise man against his expectation,” he wrote. “Nor do all things turn out for him as he wished but as he reckoned. And above all he reckoned that something could block his plans.” By doing this, Seneca was always prepared for disruption and always working that disruption into his plans. He was ready for defeat or victory.

The idea is that if you have previously thought of the problem, you can stay calm and control your emotions if it happens. While you’re dealing with the problem you can think more effectively through your solutions, and manage your situation. Your probability of success increases.

I’ve always thought Caesar must have used this exercise throughout his life. The man that was ready for anything.

My Result…

And my court hearing? The Judge granted my Application on Plan A. Everything else was superfluous, but the confidence my planning gave me was well worth the effort.