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Avoiding Regrets in Life by Staring Death Straight in the Eye

August 18, 2017

Noth­ing is quite as clar­i­fy­ing as star­ing death straight in the eye.

Every time some­one I know becomes seri­ous­ly ill or pass­es away, I get crys­tal-clear on how well I’m liv­ing my life. And what I need to change to live it better.

And so this arti­cle from the Dai­ly Mir­ror struck me. It’s insight from a pal­lia­tive nurse who shared the 5 most com­mon regrets she hears from her dying patients.

The top 5 regrets in order are:

  1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not what oth­ers expect of me
  2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard
  3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings
  4. I wish I’d stayed in touch with my friends
  5. I wish I’d let myself be happier.

I chal­lenge you to the full arti­cle and ask your­self what sin­gle thing you would change in your life so you don’t end up regret­ful in the end. Let the dying teach us how to real­ly live.

About Lawrence & Co.
Lawrence & Co. is a growth strategy and leadership advisory firm that helps mid-market companies achieve lasting, reliable growth. Our Growth Management System turns 30 years of experience into practical steps that drive clarity, alignment, and performance—so leaders can grow faster, with less friction, and greater confidence.

About Kevin Lawrence
Kevin Lawrence has spent three decades helping companies scale from tens of millions to hundreds of millions in revenue. He works side-by-side with CEOs and leadership teams across North America, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and Europe, bringing real-world insights from hands-on experience. Kevin is the author of Your Oxygen Mask First, a book of 17 habits to help high-performing leaders grow sustainably while protecting their mental health and resilience. He also contributed to Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0). Based in Vancouver, he leads Lawrence & Co, a boutique firm of growth advisors.