“Begin with the
end in mind.” – Steven Covey.
Real personal significance and achievement is unlocked
when we envision a desired future and then move forward. Priorities take hold.
We learn to stop giving time to what is urgent and focus on what is important. How
will you be remembered? What do you really want to achieve? What relationships
will you invest in with the limited time you have in this life?
Without further ado then, complete this “self-written obituary” exercise below. Your focus should be aspirational...how do you want your obituary to be written when you die?
Take 30 minutes to answer the questions, then read your obituary from end-to-end and ask
yourself, “Is this really how I want my life summarized?” Make the changes based on your review. Next,
share the document with someone you trust and who is close to you and let them
ask you questions about it.
Don’t
be surprised if the exercise rearranges your priorities and becomes a driving
force to align your daily activities with your ultimate goals!
________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________(your full name)
OBITUARY
_________________ (your full name) was born in _________________
(town/city) on ___________________
(date
of birth), the child of _________________
(Mother’s
full name) and _________________ (Father’s full name).
Those friends and family closest to _________________ (your first name), described her/him as______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(describe or list here the most
important personal characteristics for which you want to be remembered).
_________________ (your first name) was proudest of
several significant achievements in their life________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
(list here whatever
you consider to be significant: college degrees, military service, contributions
made to community, businesses you founded, children, grandchildren, etc.).
_________________ (your first name), enjoyed spending time ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
(describe here how you want to use your
time, not how you are using your time presently).
The one thing that they always wanted to do, but never found
time or energy to do was ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
(describe here something
that you would love to experience in life, but have been delaying to do).
_________________ (your first name), loved to ___________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
(list here things you
love or would love to do, things that
bring you to life such as hobbies, leisure activities like travel, visiting the mountains, raising
kids, serving others, etc.)
_________________ (your first name) leaves behind many
family and friends who loved them. They are survived by________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________ (list who would
survive and miss you today, their names and their relationship to you, eg “wife” or “daughter.”
_________________ (your first name) In lieu of flowers,
the family requests that you consider a donation to _____________________________________________________________
(the charitable organization that most resonates with your life purpose).
