The Power Of Death In Financial Life Planning

“Evaluating your life through the lens of your death is raw, powerful, and perhaps a bit scary,” writes author and entrepreneur, Shane Parrish, in his excellent book, Clear Thinking. But despite our hesitation to consider our inevitable demise, he thinks it’s worth exploring because, “What matters most becomes clear.”

Clarity around what matters most is the missing ingredient in most financial planning. We get stuck micromanaging means without considering, discerning, and articulating the ends. We get stuck thinking there is inherent value in a masterfully allocated portfolio, a brilliantly written will, a perfectly placed insurance policy, a meticulously prepared tax return, or the arrival at a particular number that reflects our net worth. But there’s not.