Creating or revising an estate plan can feel overwhelming. No one really likes talking about Death and Taxes. So many people tend to procrastinate – they prioritize other things ahead of estate planning. But the longer you put it off, the more potential there is to be caught unprepared in an emergency. The best time to do it is NOW!
So how can you motivate yourself and your loved ones to begin the process? The easiest way is to call us and make an appointment (as you continue reading this article) – 812.949.1114.
But here are some other strategies to help you overcome those negative feelings associated with this process and meet the planning challenge head on.
Reward Yourself for Your Accomplishments
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 might involve a more significant gift for the entire family to enjoy. What other projects have required extra motivation 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 – what . 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.
Break Your Estate Planning Project Down into Smaller Steps
Though estate planning can be a complex process, and facing it as a whole may seem impossible, it can made easy simply by giving an estate planning attorney a call. A good estate planning attorney will help you walk through the process, and will break the process down into smaller, more achievable steps.
To mHere are the typical, smaller steps to building (and maintaining) your plan:
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.
Tell Someone about Your Plan
Accountability can be a powerful motivator. 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.
Use Positive Affirmations
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.
Repeating these affirmations regularly can help cultivate a positive mental attitude to get you through the estate planning process. And by combining these strategies, you can develop the motivation for establishing or revising your estate plan.
Making an appointment with an estate planner is the first step. Contact us today to get started.
This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.
Contributed by Attorney & Partner James P. Plitz Waters, Tyler, Hofmann & Scott, LLC www.WTHSLaw.com