So – you’re growing older. You’re faced with having more time behind you than ahead of you. As we grow older, we tend to focus on the things we wished we had done, regretting decisions made or not made, and feel frustrated with the aging process in general. The good news is that we still have time to create a legacy that is full of joy and happiness. We cannot turn back the clock, but we can focus on what is important to us now.
Bronnie Ware’s “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying”
Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse who spent years caring for terminally ill patients, documented their most common regrets in her book “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.”
The top five regrets she identified are:
- I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
- Many people regretted not pursuing their dreams and living according to their own desires and aspirations.
- I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
- Ware found that this was a common regret among men. They wished they had spent more time with their families and less time working.
- I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
- People often regretted suppressing their emotions and not speaking up for themselves to maintain peace or avoid conflict.
- I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
- Many regretted not putting enough effort into maintaining their friendships and losing touch with important people in their lives.
- I wish I had let myself be happier.
- Ware noted that many people realized too late that happiness is a choice and regretted not allowing themselves to be happier during their lives.
My goal at the end of life is to regret NOTHING. How about you?
Use these steps below to get started on creating a Legacy Plan where you leave nothing on the table when you leave this earth. And PS – Smile! You are still here – feel gratitude for that as you do this exercise.
- Leaving a legacy doesn’t necessarily mean leaving material things behind. Legacy can be about living the rest of your life repairing broken relationships, saying YES to more things, shooting your shot at the dream that scares you the most, and focusing on other things that truly matter to you. To create your Legacy plan start with a “Regret Nothing” List. What do you want to do, create, have or become to leave this earth with no regrets?
- Next, identify what you have in your life now that you want to strengthen. Consider how many times you’ve said, “Wow – this week went by fast!” What does that tell you? Time goes by quickly! Therefore, there is no time to waste in strengthening relationships, upping your health game, focusing on financial security in the future and other things that matter. What is on your list of things that you have in your life but would like to strengthen?
- Lastly, prioritize both lists from questions #1 and #2. What is one action step you can create to get started? Take it one step at a time until you have successfully met that goal. Then – Go onto the next!
Living a life of intentionality, confidence, and joy allows us to craft a legacy that resonates long after we are gone. Don’t be a statistic on Bronnie Ware’s list! Ensure that your journey is aligned with your values, repair what is broken, create a plan and leave behind a vibrant legacy defined by love and purpose.
Want to go deeper with a Legacy exercise? Get your Legacy Planner at the link below.