If I Were to Die Tomorrow...

I recently attended a national conference that had one excellent keynote address after the next. However, I took issue with one of the comments that a speaker made regarding the way you view your life.

The event happened a day after the death of Steve Jobs, and understandably it was on everyone's mind. The speaker referred to a suggestion I've heard many many times - wake up in the morning, and ask yourself what you would do differently if you knew that this was to be the last day of your life.

Coming on the heels of remembering the life of an extraordinary man, the message is clear - take a look at yourself in the mirror and change something. If you aren't living an extraordinary life now, you need to get on with getting on with things.

I really do understand the pursuit of excellence, but our society heaps a lot of unhappiness on  people by helping them to understand what they aren't. I read a lot of self-help articles, and one gets hammered with this sort of advice in MBA school and through professional motivational speakers.

I believe something different - it takes a lot of work and introspection to truly appreciate what we are, what we contribute to our society, and to take great satisfaction in that. This doesn't suggest one doesn't strive to improve. But I think drawing a deeper, soulful look at what we often overlook - our impact on all of those around us - would ultimately lead to much greater satisfaction, happiness, and frankly increased motivation.

If I were to die tomorrow, it would be a damn shame. But I feel good about what I do, and I wouldn't do a thing differently.