I was recently discussing with a friend the charities that we have an affinity to. One of mine is Alzheimers, sadly for a selfish reason as Alzheimers is within our family and may befall me at some point in life. My friend had completed a Gene Test and had been highlighted as having an increased risk of late onset Alzheimers disease.
Gene tests can look at all sorts of potential health complications you may come up against but the interesting statement in the conversation was that my friend said if she knew she had a likelihood of becoming incapacitated due to health in her 60s she would definitely do more now.
Not so surprising a response, but any such tests are merely a guide. No one knows for certain what the future holds, so, why are we always putting off living until tomorrow?
As Lifestyle Financial Planners we are encouraged to ask 3 questions of clients.
1. 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?
2. Now imagine that you visit your doctor who tells you that you only have 5 – 10 years left to live. YOU won’t 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 (assuming you do not have unlimited funds)
3. 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 mortality. What did you miss? Who did you not get to be?What did you not get to do?
I already have a broad bucket list of places I want to go; challenges I want to complete and memories I want to create. Some are more achievable /affordable than others, but I can honestly say that every year I consider what’s next on the list? Not necessarily with any morbid slant that I may not survive the year but with an eagerness to keep learning and trying new things.
The difficulty with my job is that we absolutely do not know the future holds for our clients which makes planning that little bit harder.
BUT, our aim is to find a financial balance that allows our clients to keep achieving, keep experiencing and keep making memories. Whilst, keeping one eye on tomorrow to ensure they can keep doing what makes them happy, for the rest of their life.
