Thinking about your life and money can uncover some deeper issues.
The following questions can get you thinking about what’s really most important. If you’re in a relationship it’s a good idea to think about and answer these questions separately, and then discuss the answers together.
To help clients discover the deeper values in their lives, George Kinder, founder of the Kinder Institute of Life Planning poses three questions:
- Imagine you are financially secure, that you have enough money to take care of your needs, now and in the future. How would you live your life? Would you change anything? Let yourself go. Don’t hold back on your dreams. Describe a life that is complete and richly yours.
- Now imagine that you visit your doctor, who tells you that you only have 5-10 years to live. You won’t ever feel sick, but you will have no notice of the moment of your death. What will you do in the time you have remaining? Will you change your life and how will you do it? (Note that this question does not assume unlimited funds.)
- Finally, imagine that your doctor shocks you with the news that you only have 24 hours to live. Notice what feelings arise as you confront your very real mortality. Ask yourself: What did you miss? Who did you not get to be? What did you not get to do?
Kinder says that answering the first question is easy. There are lots of things we’d do if money were no object. But as the questions progress, there’s a sort of funnel. They become more difficult to answer, and there are fewer responses. Your highest truth comes from answering the third question.
Now some people ask, “What does this have to do with money?”
It has everything to do with money. When you understand what you want to do with your life, you can make financial choices that reflect your values.
So many of us are trapped in a world we hadn’t quite planned for. But we can change it. These three questions can help you get to the bottom of what you really want, and so start on the path of designing the life you really want.
Remember, there’ll come a time in everybody’s life when they tend to ask themselves these questions:
“Did I live?”
“Did I love?”
“Did I matter?”
I think the following piece sums it all up quite nicely. It was written by an eighty-five year old who learned that they had just a few days to live…
“If I had my life to live over again, I’d try to make more mistakes next time. I wouldn’t be so perfect. I would relax more.
I’d limber up. I’d be sillier than I’ve been on this trip. In fact, I know very few things that I would take seriously. I’d be crazier, I’d be less hygienic.
I’d take more chances, I’d take more trips, I’d climb more mountains, I’d swim more rivers, I’d go more places I’ve never been to. I’d eat more ice cream and fewer beans.
I’d have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones!
You see, I was one of these people who lived prophylactically and sensibly hour after hour, day after day, year after year.
Oh, I’ve had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I’d have more of those moments – moment by moment by moment.
I’ve been one of those people who never went anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute.
If I had to do it all over again, I’d travel lighter next time.
If I had to do it all over again, I’d start out earlier in the spring and stay away later in the fall. I’d ride more merry-go rounds, I’d watch more sunrises. I’d play with more children…
If I had my life to live all over again..
But you see, I don’t!”
Isn’t this a beautiful reminder? We only have so long on this beautiful planet.
We have to make the most of it.
IN A NUTSHELL
Whatever your circumstances, no matter how much or how little money you’ve got, understanding your money and what’s going to happen to your bucket, enables you to take control and live life more fully.
Above extract taken from Paul Armson’s book titled: “Enough? How much money do you need for the rest of your life?”
If you’d like to know more, give us a call or send us an email and we’ll schedule some time to chat with you. We can help you find out if you’ve enough money to continue living the life you have now (well into ‘pension age’), and go off on that round the world trip you’re been dreaming of!