There is an excellent piece of work written by a Bronnie Ware who was a palliative nurse that looked after those that were dying.  During her time there, she had a chance to listen to the thoughts of those people that knew they didn’t have much time left to live and felt that she should take observations of their thoughts.  She is commonly quoted and there are five points often written about as being the “Top Five Regrets of the Dying”.  Well, I’m not going to go into all of them right now, however I am going to talk about the one that resonates the most with me.

I wish I hadn’t worked so hard

Being a financial planner, I spend a lot of time talking and listening to people about their lives.  I like to know what’s most important to them, and it’s rare that someone tells me that the most important thing in their life is work.  Often it’s family, sometimes is growth as a person, travelling and living.  However, when push comes to shove, most people I know spend more time working than anything else.  We’ve got to pay off the mortgage, get the new car, pay for private school fees etc etc.  The list is just about endless, and because it just goes on and on, so continues our work hours.

I guess what I’m saying is that there really is a balance out there.  I’ve managed to meet enough people who have either by themselves, or with some help from my guys, found that balance between working and achieving, and being and enjoying.  I guess that’s partly what this blog is about – a balance.  Be healthy, enjoy your family, work hard but make smart decisions that ensure that your hard work turns around and works for you.  Also, ready up a little more on Bronnie Ware’s work.  It’s really interesting reading.

When you’re laying flat on your back in a lot of years from today, you’re never going to say “shit, I wish I’d done more overtime”.