This past week, for the first time ever, I went fishing!

10 years to the day since I broke my back in Papua New Guinea, I chose to instead mark this day with a new achievement during my current holiday in Australia.

I've long wanted to fish. No idea why, I just liked the look of it and the sense of peace and contentment. Yet I kept waiting for someone else to make it happen, so instead, I asked a friend to show me how, and off we went! On this day of my back break anniversary, instead of being consumed with negative feelings about the pain and stress the accident caused, I was instead looking out over the Pacific Ocean with a different viewpoint, truly thankful for my life, the lessons learnt, and the opportunity to use these experiences to now help others. Did I succeed in catching any fish? Two small ones.... nearly... I did, however, catch a lot of seaweed. What I did achieve was being in the moment of learning and experiencing something I've long wanted to try, and that has definitely hooked me (pun intended) to try some more when I get home.

Apart from a stint in Brisbane's Mater Hospital in the immediate aftermath of my accident August 27th 2016, I had never stayed in Australia more than a day or two except in transit between Papua New Guinea and Ireland. I honestly never thought I'd be able for such a long trip again, yet here I am.

Now, I have been over two weeks venturing through the East Coast and South of Australia, spending time catching up with friends, enjoying the adventures and fun.  As I write this to you, I am on the final day of my trip in Sydney, getting ready for the 36 hour journey home and looking forward to starting a new chapter with Living Legacy.

What is Your Baseline?

In anticipation of this holiday I spent time decluttering, progressing outstanding tasks, and reflecting on what I had been spending my time and energy on. Recognising my tendency to be a spinner of many plates, I decided it was time to let go of some of those plates and focus on how I want to invest my energy going forward. 

When I consider my life as it is now, I recognise that it is very different from what I thought it would be 10 years and 1 week ago. Yet, it took that accident 10 years 4 days ago for me to realise not only what could have been if things had been worse, but also appreciating the lessons I have learnt along the way - how different things matter to me now, and my sense of fulfilment as well as space to enjoy this holiday with peace of mind knowing my advance plans are in place should another crisis occur in the future.

I have recognised the importance of defining a baseline from which I want to move forward. Whether that be in work, in health, wealth, community, relationships, and in how I live. Defining a baseline helps determine where improvements can be made, new skills learnt, and how to strengthen the value we bring to life and in how we contribute to others. So, in reading this, I invite you to consider what your preferred baseline is, compared to where you are at in your life right now? What would you like to release and let go, improve, or start - to be at the baseline from which you want to move forward in life? What is your baseline even within an advance planning consideration? What is holding you back?

I appreciate how past experiences and traumas can mould a narrative to justify a sense of limitation, a reason for procrastinating, or even in giving a sense of entitlement. Yet, when we define our baseline, it can help us determine from where we move forward and how we know if we are on, or veering off course to where we want to get to, or just in how we want our life to be.

30 Days to Getting Your Advance Planning Started

Most of you reading this recently undertook one of the Living Legacy Readiness Assessments - whether that be for your personal advance planning or your business succession planning. When completing it, what did you learn about yourself? What gaps were highlighted that made you realise the areas in which you want or need to focus?

What next steps are you willing to take? What is preventing you from getting started? Let me help you.

Over the Summer I delivered an online challenge of posting 30 daily posts on advance planning.

Each post is a small step in getting organised, helping you clarify what matters to you and for you when it comes to your advance planning.

You can check out these posts on Instagram @livinglegacy.ie

The feedback has been positive, so I am now developing a 30 day programme which will be a more indepth way for you to truly delve deeper into taking key steps to getting your personal advance planning in place, as well as getting your life admin in order. Sign up to the waiting list (for a November 1st programme start) at https://www.livinglegacy.ie/joinus

Getting Ready for the Season Ahead

📌 As I prepare to return home and start a new chapter with Living Legacy, I invite you to consider your own advance planning and invite you to consider the next steps to move forward. For those of you yet to complete the Living Legacy Readiness Assessments to take stock of your personal and professional advance planning, please take the next few minutes to complete the ones you haven't yet begun...

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀 

▪️ Advance Planning Readiness Assessment: https://advanceplanning-readiness.scoreapp.com/

𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 

▪️ Succession Planning Readiness Assessment: https://succession-readiness.scoreapp.com/

For those of you who haven't yet, please book a call so we can discuss next steps to help you move forward:

📅 Book a 30 minute Assessment call at: https://calendly.com/livinglegacy-ie/connection-call

For those of you new to these Living Legacy newsletters, welcome. I look forward to helping you navigate your journey to building and living your legacy.

Honour Your Tomorrows By Planning Today.

I look forward to connecting when I'm back.

Jen

Jennifer McConnell | Founder | Living Legacy