How to Live Before You Die

In Steve Jobs’ 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University, he said: “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.”

When Jobs was 17, he read a quote that made an impression on him, and every day after he looked in the mirror each morning and asked himself:  “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And he said, “whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”

So, I ask you now, to look in the mirror and ask yourself this same question: If today were the last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do today, tonight, tomorrow, or the day after?

If not, what is it time to change? And when will you make the change?

Maybe, you are putting off change now because you are working toward what you hope is a better future.

But, how can you be sure that you are wisely considering all of your best options? And, how can you live the life you want now while simultaneously preparing for your future?

You can start with planning. Careful financial and estate planning can help you achieve your short-term and long-term financial goals, protect and preserve your personal wealth, and ensure your wishes for your end of life are respected and followed.

Jobs had an excellent point; facing death can help us have the best possible life now. Begin by coming in to meet with us for a Family Wealth Planning Session. Before the session, we’ll send you a Family Wealth Inventory and Assessment to complete that will get you thinking about what you own, what matters most to you, and what you want to leave behind.

Just asking these questions will be a fantastic starting point for you to begin to help to clarify your big life choices.