How to Turn Setbacks into Success: The Self-Autopsy Method

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From TV Battles to Real Life Reflections

When I was a kid, visits to my Nana’s house often turned into battles for the remote with my uncle. He was a die-hard NASCAR fan, and I was all about the Disney Channel. We usually compromised by watching crime shows, with NCIS becoming our go-to. Abby Sciuto, the quirky and brilliant medical examiner, was my favorite character.

Abby wasn’t the star of NCIS, but her work in the lab was the backbone of every case. She had this incredible ability to uncover hidden truths through her meticulous autopsies and forensic analysis. While the detectives solved crimes in the field, Abby was piecing together the evidence behind the scenes to crack the case.

That reminds me of Michael Hyatt’s After-Action Review (AAR) from Your Best Year Ever. The AAR is a process that helps you reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what you can learn. Rather than dwelling on mistakes, it’s about uncovering insights that will help you move forward.

I like to call it a Self-Autopsy. Just like an autopsy examines the causes behind someone’s death, a Self-Autopsy dives into your life or a specific event to understand what went well, what didn’t, and how you can grow. It's all about gaining clarity and insight—no guilt, just growth.

Walt Disney's Comeback: A Masterclass

One of the most inspiring examples of someone who truly embodied this process—though he probably wouldn’t have called it a Self-Autopsy—is Walt Disney.

In 1928, Disney faced one of the most devastating setbacks of his career. After pouring his heart into Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, his first beloved cartoon character, Disney learned that his distributor had taken control of the rights—and most of his animation team with it. Losing Oswald was a crushing blow. But Disney didn’t stay stuck in despair.

Instead of letting the loss define him, Disney reflected, learned, and moved forward. This wasn’t the first setback he’d faced—he had already weathered bankruptcies and even been fired from a newspaper job for “lacking creativity.” Through it all, he developed a resilience that allowed him to turn failure into fuel for his next big idea.

In the wake of losing Oswald, Disney went back to the drawing board—and out of that season of loss and reflection came Mickey Mouse, a character who would become one of the most iconic figures in entertainment history. Mickey wasn’t just a cartoon; he symbolized Disney’s ability to bounce back stronger, transforming challenges into stepping stones for success.

Disney’s story shows the power of what Michael Hyatt calls an After-Action Review. While Disney didn’t use that term, his actions followed the same principles: he acknowledged what went wrong, learned from it, and used those lessons to fuel his next creative leap.

Four Questions to Unlock Your Next Step

Whether you’re reflecting on an entire year or just a specific event, a Self-Autopsy can help you uncover what worked, what didn’t, and how you can move forward with greater purpose and clarity.

Here’s how you can apply this process to your own life using Hyatt’s After-Action Review model:

1. What Went Well?
   Start by acknowledging the wins. What successes brought you joy? What moments of progress stood out? These might be big milestones or smaller victories. Recognizing what worked helps you build on your strengths and replicate what’s working.
   
   

2. What Didn’t Go Well?
   This is where honesty comes in. Where did things go off course? What goals didn’t get met, and what obstacles stood in your way? This question isn’t about wallowing in regret; it’s about understanding what could be done differently or where adjustments are needed.
   
   

3. What Did I Learn?
   Every experience holds lessons. Successes teach us what to continue doing, and setbacks often reveal unexpected insights or blind spots. The goal of this question is to mine your experiences for wisdom that can guide your actions moving forward.
   
   

4. What Will I Do Differently?
   The final step is about action. Reflection is only valuable if it leads to change. What will you do differently as a result of your insights? Whether it’s changing your approach, shifting priorities, or refining your habits, this is where you turn your reflection into real growth.
   
   

My Personal Check-In: How I’m Using the Self-Autopsy This Year

As I mentioned last week, I was shocked by my results from Michael Hyatt’s LifeScore Assessment. It’s a quick, three-minute quiz that gives you a snapshot of how you're doing in ten key areas of life. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I highly recommend it. (And if you missed last week’s post, be sure to read it—I’ve linked it below.)

When Wes and I bought our first home last April, we became laser-focused on paying off the mortgage early. Don’t get me wrong—zero debt is a goal I’m passionate about (I can’t stand owing money!). But soon, it took over our lives. We were financially crushing it, but my health took a hit, we barely spent time together, and our hobbies disappeared.

So, when I took the LifeScore Assessment, I was floored by how low my score was. It was a wake-up call. I realized I was so focused on one area that everything else was falling apart. I had to make some serious changes—not just for my goals, but for my well-being and relationships.

That’s when I started doing regular “self-autopsies” to keep balance and ensure I wasn’t neglecting other important areas. The LifeScore Assessment became the perfect springboard for this year. Now, I’m using it to regularly check in and make sure I’m not letting other areas, like health or family, slide.

If you haven’t taken the LifeScore Assessment yet, it’s totally worth it. It’s a quick way to see where you’re excelling and where you need more focus. I used it as a “pretest” for the year, and I’m looking forward to reassessing in 2025 to track my progress. You can take the free quiz here.

Time to Move Forward

We’ve covered some serious ground in this post, and I hope you’re feeling motivated to reflect and grow from the past. These insights will help you move forward with clarity and purpose, shaping the next chapter of your journey.

Next week, we'll turn our focus to designing your future—it’ll be a chance to dream big and create a plan to bring that vision to life!

And if you missed the first part of this series on believing the possibility, now’s the perfect time to catch up and lay that strong foundation. It’s the mindset that makes everything else possible.

That’s all for today. Take care, stay curious, and I’ll see you next week!

Want to Read Along? Get the book here!

Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt

Michael Hyatt's Free LifeScore Assessment

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