Live your life with your end in mind. When you’re on your deathbed, you don’t want to look back with regrets. Some of the more common regrets include the following:
– Hurting others, especially loved ones, with your actions (such as saying hurtful things, not spending quality time with them, or having an affair).
– Not living up to your full potential (having ideas but never acting on them).
– Not finding meaning or purpose in life (not connected spiritually – not living for something greater than yourself).
Try to minimize those regrets now by taking action (or not taking the wrong actions) on things you may regret later.
Reflect on what you want to do (your big picture goals) and how you want to be remembered (as a loving, caring partner and parent; a fiercely loyal friend; an ambitious and ethical worker). After you’ve decided who you want to be, do your best to be that person every moment of every day. You won’t always live up to this ideal version of yourself, but if you keep it front of mind you’ll be more likely to achieve it.
