Death and taxes. Two of life’s certainties, so they say. Everyone knows they are coming, but few prepare accordingly.
If you knew your exact death day, how would that change the way you live?
How would you wake up and tackle tasks?
How would you prioritize what’s important to accomplish?
I recently have been contemplating my own death more.
I heard the Latin phrase Memento mori – which means “remember you are going to die.” From Tim Ferriss and it changed something in me.
I realize now, more so than ever, that our days truly are numbered.
According to studies, the average male lifespan in America is currently 78.5 years old. The average female lifespan in America is 81.2 years old.
Now, those ages vary depending on where you are in the world. But it is nonetheless interesting to consider how far you are currently from those ages.
I know for me, at the time of this writing, I am 32 years old.
That means, according to the average male lifespan, I have 46.5 years left to live.
Now I keep myself in good health, so I would venture to say I actually have a few more years than the average.
So even if I said 85 years old was my number, that leaves 53 years.
53 years is 19,345 days.
Or 464,280 hours left.
Although that seems like a large number, time never stops. It is the one true constant for everyone in this life.
So each day, your life’s clock is ticking away.
Now, I’m all for science and I would imagine there are some modern scientific anti-aging medical breakthroughs in the future that ultimately increase the healthy human lifespan. But, I’m not banking on it.
I’m living my life from this day forward with memento mori top of mind.
And I hope you will too.
This means living life with urgency.
This means not delaying your dreams any longer.
This means waking up tomorrow with excitement and intentionality.
Sadly, many people are sacrificing their happiness in this life. And not living with urgency or intentionality.
They feel stuck, doing a job they dislike or even hate.
Yet, they get up each day dreading the work but don’t do anything to change it because of fear.
Fear of the uncertainties that may arise, if they don’t have the income and security that comes from their soul-sucking job.
And oftentimes, their personal lives are just as discouraging as their professional lives.
Their relationships with their loved ones are less than ideal.
Some relationships are filled with pain and angst. Others, an emptiness.
They have issues from past trauma and carry those triggers in every interaction, waiting to explode.
They are unfulfilled with their current reality.
I know that is the depressing truth.
However, it doesn’t have to be that way for you.
You can change your reality.
You can create a life you truly love.
You can put the Happy in your everyday Hustle.
You can live life fully with urgency, knowing that death awaits.
I hope this writing can be a reminder for you to live with this mindset.
For you to not delay your dreams any longer.
For you to stop sacrificing your happiness and fulfillment.
And start living your best life.
If you want a playbook on how to Happy Hustle a life you love, one full of passion, purpose, and positive impact…
Then I invite you to pick up a copy of my new book, The Happy Hustle: 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance.
This book can help you create a life you love.
And blissful balance in both your personal and professional life.
Start living each day to its fullest.
Find gratitude for everything you have… and everything you don’t.
Memento mori my friend.