Why You Need To Write Your Eulogy Today

One way to evaluate your own reputation is to think about what would be said of you at your eulogy.

Brian Koslow

Have you ever taken time to write your eulogy?

Why would anyone want to write their eulogy?

While I was in Vermont last week, I worked on my eulogy and my life plan.  I spent a lot of time working on these documents.  My eulogy filled two pages in my journal, but the thoughts that went into creating the eulogy filled eleven pages of my journal.  I spent nearly three hours creating this document.

My life plan is still in progress.  I started my charting out my key accounts – the people and the areas of my life where I want to direct the bulk of my attention.  I prioritized them.  And I wrote a purpose statement for each of these accounts.  My next step was to envision the future if I were to achieve the purpose in each of these accounts.  By the time I finish, I will have an action plan – a life plan – for living my life with more intention.

I’m using Living Forward (by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy) to guide my thought process.  If you want to take a deeper look into your life, I’d encourage you to pick up a copy of the book, read it, and schedule time to implement the process outlined in the book.  Click here to get your own copy of the book.

When I told a few people I was working on my eulogy, I got a mix of responses.  Some people cheered me on.  Some people said they would just let their kids and grandchildren write their eulogy.  And some people proclaimed how morbid this activity seemed to them.

It’s interesting timing for me to work on this.  I’m doing fine health wise.  I don’t plan on dying anytime soon, but you never know.  Actually, the reason this timing was interesting was that my parents just sent me copies of their eulogies.  They are still alive, but they have recently experienced some health challenges that are making them take these actions.

I didn’t work on my eulogy because my parents sent me their eulogies.  I didn’t write my eulogy because I was feeling morbid.

I wrote my eulogy at the age of 44, because I want to live with intention.

Writing your own eulogy is an exercise in thinking about how you want to be remembered.  When you know how you want to be remembered, you begin to better understand the way you should live your life today.  I’m not writing my eulogy to be morbid.  I’m writing my eulogy to make sure I’m living life to the fullest.

It’s never too early to live with intention.  It’s never too early to write your eulogy.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Psalm 90:12

Have you written your eulogy?  What are you doing to live your life with intention?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

I’m in the early stages of planning a Stretched Dad Mastermind group.  I don’t have all the details yet, but I’m hoping to launch in September.  If you sign up below, I’ll get back to you with more information.