Time for a hard topic. Last week, we met with a lawyer to discuss our will and other estate planning documents. It was a humbling experience to talk about the end of my life and the conditions in which I will pass on my wealth.

Some of you more astute readers might be wondering what this has to do with the theme of this site – success. Isn’t thinking and talking about death the opposite of living and succeeding? In short, no.

 It is not death that we wish to avoid, but life that we wish to live. ~ Ayn Rand

We can’t talk about living unless we also talk about the absence of living. The very definition of life implies an opposite. So to accept that opposite as the inevitable end is not in any sense giving up.  Nor abdicating our responsibilities. I don’t wish to avoid death, but rather accept that it will come in order to better live my life now.

It’s using the key principles of living – purpose, thinking, and self-esteem – and applying them all the way to the end. Doing so helps me to answer questions such as “How can I share my wealth with purpose, think through end of life conditions, and die with dignity and the knowledge that my property will be shared in a thoughtful and meaningful way?” And how can I do that in a way that minimizes taxes and fees?

Yes, live your life to the fullest. Which also means living life knowing that your end could potentially help others live their lives to their fullest.