Jan 29, 2009

If you could live your life over....?

I remember reading a survey a while back which asked people over 65 "If you could live your life over, what would you do differently ? The top 3 answers were:

  1. I would like to stop and ask the big questions
  2. I would like to be more courageous and take more risks in work and love
  3. I would like to live life with purpose - to make a difference

Poignantly, I asked my dad that question about a fortnight before he died. With a cheeky smiled he looked me in the eye and said

"Absolutely, nothing. I spent everyday, living my dream....if you don't live your dream then you end up living your nightmare or not living at all. I have always felt the person who invented the word regrets must have been sad! Imagine inventing the word regrets as your legacy! You cannot change the past, only the future and each second is another part of the future...don't waste even a second "

I will never forget that for as long as I live, I mean how good must that feel - even when faced with you last few hours you have no regrets. You have lived life to the full and that you believe in everything that you have achieved and the relationships around you, you have lived your dream.

When you look at the way you live your life do you concentrate on how much you have or the things that you would like?

Life is amazingly short in the grand scheme of things so at work, in love and with friends make sure that you think about the wonderful things you have in your life especially during these hard recessionary times it is easy to lose sight of them.

My motto in life is "live life forward and understand it backward"...and help others do the same.

29 Jan 2009 21:40:50 | Careers

4 Comments

Uğur Özmen

Thanks Anna,

I have translated your post, and have published it in Turkish (with referring you, of course).
http://ugurozmen.com/blog/is-hayati/krizi-sevmemin-5-nedeni

Five out of five, I agree.

Posted by: Uğur Özmen | Jan 30, 2009 at 05:10 AM

Prem Rao

Hi, Anna

I would advocate that this question be asked of everyone- not just those at age 65. In fact the earlier people ask this question of themselves, the better it would be for them- to make the very best of life.

Thanks,

Prem

Posted by: Prem Rao | Feb 09, 2009 at 04:27 AM

Anna

Totally agree with starting this early, the survey was with over 65's but I am with you...whether you like it or not from birth you are creating your legacy so as soon as you start thinking about it the better your legacy should become!

Posted by: Anna | Feb 11, 2009 at 10:53 PM

Job Satisfaction Survey

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Posted by: Job Satisfaction Survey | Jan 14, 2013 at 06:42 AM

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Anna Farmery

Social Marketing Architect, Speaker, Author and in spare time completing PhD on the future of the social business model

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