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Lígia Lacerda's avatar

I often think about the things I'd like to do before I die. It has helped me a lot in changing my eating habits, becoming more active, and even running a few half marathons. But when it comes to thinking about what I'd like to be remembered for on my deathbed, I freeze. Could it be a perfectionist issue? Love your newsletther <3

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Lisa Quinn's avatar

Hello Ligia, thank you and I am so glad you like my newsletter and congratulations on these changes. Running a few half marathons is a significant achievement. And what a great question! I wonder, when you think about how you'd like to be remembered, how does it make you feel? What's the emotion that's present underneath the "freeze"? Because sometimes it can be helpful to see the emotion as data - it's telling us something. See what you get when you explore this. Best wishes, Lisa

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Lisa Quinn's avatar

Good luck Ash! Glad it was helpful. Best wishes, Lisa

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Ash's avatar

Hi Lisa,

Thanks so much for fleshing out the goal setting topic a bit more! Very helpful. I’m feel as if I’m on the precipice of a few big life decisions at the moment and I think the 3/5/10 year goal setting might bring some clarity and a little bit more calm. Let’s see how it goes..! :)

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Rosie Birkett's avatar

Love this, Lisa. Thank you for sharing it. I often tap into my own mortality as a barometer for what’s important and to vaguely help me prioritise, but as someone who is terrible at planning, I like the idea of this more structured approach. Also re death, did you read Yasmin Khan’s recent brilliant piece on Substack about why it is the British can’t deal with death?

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Lisa Quinn's avatar

Hello Rosie, you are very welcome! I love your newsletter, so I'm thrilled you like mine. : )

I am not great at planning either. Even though I know it's helpful, my brain resists it. I find the Pomodoro technique to be a gamechanger - have you tried that? And thanks for recommending Yasmin's piece, will seek it out and read it.

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Karen May's avatar

I love this and have done something similar for myself and with clients in the past. If I want the really juicy stuff coming out or I’ve felt the goals that are coming up aren’t ‘deep’ enough or big enough, I start with a long reflection process first, finding what sparks total joy and then building goals from there. One of the visualisations I’ve used is similar to the death bed and I’ve found the same as you - it totally changes the conversation! I love it. Thanks for sharing!

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Lisa Quinn's avatar

Hello Karen, thank you, I'm so glad you loved it! I think your approach sounds wonderful, and very intuitive. I bet your clients really benefit from it. I love that you help them find the things that spark joy!

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Karen May's avatar

Thank you! Going back to find the threads of life really helps clients realise what actually makes them happy, rather than what they think should make them happy. I love the wacky sort of stuff that can come out of it too - visions that people wouldn't have dared to dream of in their 5-year plan. It's the best fun! You've inspired me to go back to mine, I haven't touched them in a while!

Also, Wheel of Life - a very underrated tool, I love that you referenced it! A great diagnostic, in my opinion, and a great way to check a client's progress overall.

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