Decide it in advance
Hagakure instructs the samurai to settle the question of death each morning, so that fear cannot bargain with him during the day.
Memento mori
Marcus writes reminders to himself that he will die and that his opinions of himself will die with him. This is not morbidity; it is a scale-setting device for petty grievances.
Practical use
Attia's longevity work is the same instinct pointed forward: name the man you must be at eighty, and let that decide today's training, drinking and sleeping.