In many different jobs, it is a sign of a good, hard worker—devoted to the job—committed to the cause—if you work late into the evening in order to get the most work done. But, is that our main goal in life? To win an award for hard work, from people who you may work with for a moment of time? Todd Henry in his book, The Accidental Creative made an interesting observation. He said; “No one lies on his deathbed wishing he’d had the time to reply to one more e-mail…”
This does not mean that we are lazy at work or neglectful of his or her duties. What is does mean, however, is that life is much more than what happens between 9 to 5. There are family obligations, there are relationship commitments, and there are personal goals to strive for.
It is very easy to get sucked into a place where we are praised and encouraged for doing good work. Even when the work is enjoyable and noble. However, the work that is sometimes more difficult and troublesome is much more rewarding in the long term. Raising children is not always the most fun, but it means the most to the children we have been called to raise. Working out issues and stabilizing our marriages may not be the most enjoyable times that we spend but it definitely beats the loneliness and guilt that result from the neglect. Further, the personal goals that we pursue actually propel our spirit in a way that moves everything—including our work—further.
What we regret at the end of our lives are not the emails not sent.
What is it in your life that you will regret? How can you change that for tomorrow?
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