—
One thing is for sure; something is coming for each of us. It’s called Death. It is no respecter of persons. I don’t say this to cause fear. I believe we should not fear death at all because it’s a fact of life. Instead, we should use it as a trigger to mentor us on how we spend our time.
◊♦◊
Invest in what matters most
Paul was a super performer for his investment firm. He worked there for 35 years and was at the pinnacle of his career. In fact, he was a member of the top three in the leadership of his flourishing organization.
Based on his investment calculations, he concluded that he would be able to retire at age 60. That meant he only had five more years to go.
Paul would then be able to spend time living his dream, going to see the world and vacationing with his family.
For now, his primary focus was on getting the highest return on his clients’ investments, and he did. His track record was nothing short of amazing. On average he spent more than 80 hours per week in the office.
One morning while in the office, he experienced numbness on the left side of his body. Then he collapsed to the floor. Paul was rushed to the hospital where later he died.
He had experienced a massive heart attack. His firm did the standard things any organization does when there’s a death of one of its key members. Unfortunately, he never got his chance to experience living out his retirement plans.
Just imagine how his family must feel. He had convinced them that soon he would be able to dedicate his time to be with them, living out their dreams of traveling the globe and vacationing.
His untimely passing shattered their plans for the future. Even with an immense financial security net, there remained a significant void.
Where did he go wrong?
He thought he had an entire lifetime ahead of him to live out his dreams. This is a common mistake many high performers make.
Someday when we retire, we tell ourselves, then we will start living. Postponing our dreams is an unfulfilled way to move through life. This is an insane way to live life.
◊♦◊
Take time to reflect
If this sounds like you, please stop now and take inventory of your life to see matters most.
Our society has programmed us to be “hard chargers” on our job. However, there’s little emphasis placed on ensuring we take care of our other life accounts.
Well, guess what, it’s up to each of us to take time for soul-searching to look at how we would like to be remembered. Then we must build a plan of action to make it happen.
◊♦◊
Start living now
Most of us don’t start genuinely living until we have faced a close encounter with death. At that point, our real priorities are clearly identified.
It’s not the promotion that matters anymore. It’s spending our precious time with our loved ones.
All of the small things that we have taken for granted are now the big rocks of our life.
◊♦◊
Remember life is not waiting for you to get it right.
Here are some questions to ponder to get an idea of where you stand.
If you knew this would be the last week of your life, what/who would you cherish most? How would you treat those closest to you? Who would you make things right with? How would you love? What truths would you share today?
Now however you answered these questions, you might want to start putting those answers into action today. Life is short; we never know when it is going to end.
What one thing would you do differently if you knew you were going to die next week?
—
This post was originally published on MalachiThompson.com and is republished with the author’s permission.
—
If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join like-minded individuals in The Good Men Project Premium Community.
◊♦◊
◊♦◊
Get the best stories from The Good Men Project delivered straight to your inbox, here.
◊♦◊
◊♦◊
Sign up for our Writing Prompts email to receive writing inspiration in your inbox twice per week.
♦◊♦
We have pioneered the largest worldwide conversation about what it means to be a good man in the 21st century. Your support of our work is inspiring and invaluable.
—
Photo credit: Getty Images
—