Creating or revising an estate plan can feel overwhelming, causing many people to procrastinate. But the longer you put it off, the more potential to be caught unprepared in an emergency. So, how can you inspire action and motivate yourself and your loved ones to begin the process? Here are some strategies to help you overcome some of the negative feelings associated with this process and meet the challenge head-on.
While the benefits associated with updating or creating a new estate plan are a reward in and of themselves, we can all use an extra push. Sometimes, the promise of a small indulgence as a reward can change your frame of mind when initiating the process. However, your idea of a reward may be more substantial and involve a more significant gift for the entire family. What other projects have required extra motivation to inspire action in the past? How much easier might they have been to complete if you rewarded yourself or your family for their completion? Get inspired with a few meaningful ideas that could serve as a reward:
The key to an effective reward is personalization. Choose something that resonates with you and can serve as a reminder of the importance and the effort you put into completing the estate planning process, which is essential to protecting your family's future.
Estate planning can be a complex process, and facing it may seem impossible. Break the process into smaller, more achievable steps to make it more manageable.
Identify the first three steps you need to take using these suggestions to inspire action:
By following these initial steps, you will lay a solid foundation for participating in the estate planning process. Each step keeps you on track and moves you toward the larger goal of completing your estate plan.
Accountability can be a powerful motivator to inspire action. Share your intention to create or update your estate plan with a trusted friend or family member. This person can offer support and encouragement. They can also check in on your progress so you will be more likely to follow through on your commitment. For some people, simply saying the words out loud or putting them on a calendar also makes the project a priority. Choose the best way to hold yourself accountable.
Are you still feeling reluctant to engage in estate planning? This may stem from deeper concerns or anxieties about the future and your mortality. Counteract negative thoughts and shift your mindset by using positive affirmations to focus on why you may not want to proceed with preparing an estate plan. The following affirmations may help you take the worry or fear out of estate planning by focusing on the positive benefits. You may even want to write out one or two and post them in a place where you commonly look.
Regularly repeating these affirmations can help cultivate a positive mental attitude to get you through estate planning. By combining these strategies, you can develop the motivation for establishing or revising your estate plan.
Making an appointment with an estate planner is often the first step. Book a call to get started.
(By Appointment Only)
14425 Falcon Head Blvd
Bldg E-100
Austin, TX 78738