July 27 was just like any other day. I got up, said goodbye to my wife and kids, enjoyed advising clients and went home to my family. We had extended family and friends over and after dinner, I went outside to get the campfire ready for making s’mores. I unloaded firewood off the back of the UTV that was near the firepit. While I bent over to arrange the wood in the firepit, the driver got back in the UTV assuming it was in drive, but it was in reverse. The 1700lb UTV came at me in a hurry, knocked me down, ran over me and I tumbled underneath. It all happened so fast.

I was taken to the hospital by ambulance where the trauma team ran a battery of tests and released me saying that while I will be in a decent amount of pain and would be in an arm sling for weeks, most people do not walk away from such accidents. Outside of the permanent bump on the top of my shoulder from my collarbone separating, the doctors believe my body will fully heal. I am back to work feeling stronger and grateful that I have more days to live.

While I got up on July 27, I certainly didn’t expect that day to be my last. In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen Covey is known for teaching us the habit, “Begin with the End in Mind.” What if today was your last day? Do you have a clear, holistic financial plan that would provide for your family? When I engage in financial discussions with clients, I often ask, “what is most important to you? What are your life goals? What would happen IF the unexpected were to occur?” Would you greatly benefit from a comprehensive plan, but haven’t yet take that important step?

Let’s chat. It’s never too late to BEGIN; with the End in Mind.