Living From the End: A Perspective Shift
I recently read an article about a man who imagines himself on his deathbed and reflects on his life from that perspective. It’s a powerful exercise. From that vantage point, you can ask yourself, Am I happy with how my life looks today? If the answer is no, it opens the door to change—right now.
The biggest regret people often have at the end of their lives isn’t about what they did but what they didn’t do. It’s the dreams left unfulfilled, the risks not taken.
This really hit home for me. My passion lies in helping others through the work I do, and while it’s fulfilling, it hasn’t always been easy. Financially, the past couple of years have been good, but not at the level where I could retire or feel completely secure. To take this work to the next level, I know I need to expand my business and teach what I’ve learned to others. Yet, I’ve struggled at times with self-doubt, thinking maybe I should just get a “real” job and do this part-time.
But when I imagine that future self—the one who settled for a job he didn’t love—I can feel the disappointment. I’d look back on my life and regret not taking the risk to pursue my passion fully. That thought alone pushes me to keep moving forward, even when the path feels overwhelming.
Overcoming Overwhelm and Self-Doubt
Here’s the thing: even when we’re pursuing our dreams, it’s not always smooth sailing. It can feel overwhelming. I’ve found myself in “analysis paralysis,” thinking too far ahead, comparing myself to others, and wrestling with imposter syndrome. The distractions of social media and our information overload only made it worse—so I’ve been limiting my time there and cutting out the things that lead to procrastination.
In moments like these, I remind myself of a few key questions I’ve written on a sticky note in my office:
What could I do if I were fearless and could not fail?
What will I be most proud of one year from now?
What are three things I need to stop doing?
What advice would I give someone else in my situation?
These questions keep me grounded and help me refocus when my mind starts spinning.
Finding Balance: Chunking Up and Down
Another technique that’s helped me is something I learned during my NLP training—“chunking up” or “chunking down.” When things feel overwhelming, it’s usually because I’m too focused on the big picture, the macro view of my goals. Sometimes, you need to take a step back and chunk down—what’s the one next thing I can do? What small step will move me forward today?
I once had a manager who used to say, “We just need to block and tackle.” It’s such a great metaphor—focus on the fundamentals, do the small things well, and keep moving forward. On other days, when you’re bogged down in the details, it helps to chunk up—to take a bird’s-eye view and remember the bigger picture, the why behind what you’re doing.
For me living from the end isn’t about fear of death—it’s about making life count. For me, that means leaning into my passion, doing the work that lights me up, and pushing through the doubts and distractions that get in the way. Some days, it’s about chopping wood and carrying water—just doing the work. Other days, it’s about dreaming big, connecting with spirit and my guides, and trusting that I’m on the right path.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or unsure about pursuing your dreams, I hope this resonates with you. Remember, it’s okay to take it one step at a time.
And if you’re ever stuck, ask yourself:
What’s one small thing I can do today that will bring me closer to my dreams?
