What's the most important thing in life? Is it the completion of data analysis for your work? Is it your next business presentation? Is it your next pay increase? We may deem these things important while at the same time we have other things waiting for our attention. Our friends. Our our spouses. Our children.
Our lives are busy. We rush from task to task, trying desperately to get ahead and be successful. But in our day-to-day struggles, we seldom take the time to question what real success actually looks like.
Life is short, and therefore we need to prioritize the important things. But how do we know what is truly important? We may, perhaps, be guided by imagining how we would like to be remembered after our passing. Ask yourself, do I want to be remembered for my ability to get data analyses completed on time? Do I want to be remembered for my accurate business presentations, which lead to significant pay increases? Or would I prefer to be remembered for my dedication to my children? That I always found time to spend with them. That I was able to help them through the challenges of youth. And that they loved and cherished me as much as I did them. Answering these questions can serve as a useful guide.
As we move through life, we should therefore take time out to imagine our future eulogy. Doing so can be helpful in putting our struggles in perspective and determining what is the most important thing in life.
[Photo by Olivia Silby 2022]
