A Promise to Plan Ahead
This is probably the easiest blog of the year to write with a simple clear message: make some time to plan the things that matter.
The New Year brings a time of reflection and resolutions to ourselves and others, promises to get fit, lose weight or find that magic work life balance. I wrote last year about one resolution to make a real difference- deciding who would speak for you by making a Lasting Power of Attorney , this year I want to raise awareness of some resources available to help start those important conversations and document plans.
What Matters Conversations is a super start. The resource enables “what matters” conversations to ensure personal wishes are heard, talks about why these conversations matter and gives great examples of how to start a conversation
“How to start a ‘What matters’ conversation
‘What matters’ conversations between friends and family are usually social chats taking place at home, out on a walk, in the pub or on the bus. They’re conversations that can be picked up and put down again as our life changes.
’What matter’ conversations can also focus on health and social care, and may occur between people and their GP, nurse, social worker or hospital specialist.
Even when we know something needs to happen, the hardest bit can be where and how to start. This is touched on in our second film. You can find support and inspiration – including stories, tips and opinions – to help you start conversations about what matters to you on Marie Curie’s Talkabout website”
A Planning ahead too is currently being piloted by Hospice UK. The easy to use on line too enables you to think about your personal priorities and how these may impact your healthcare wishes. The questions help to think about what matters to you and gives healthcare situations to consider what your priorities are.
“If we meet health problems in the future, we will want to make choices about how we are treated. Sometimes there are lots of options and sometimes options are limited, but we will still make our decisions based on what matters most to us.”
I attended the Digital Legacy Conference this year, a super event which included discussion digital legacy and assets and how standards can be improved. A digital legacy includes your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram pictures, Bitcoin currency and any website or blog you have. Most people have a digital life yet don’t consider what would happen to these as assets. Information, resource and social medial templates can be sound on the Digital Legacy site.
“Everyone who has one or more online accounts should document what sites they use and what they would like to happen to them should something happen to them. ”
An online tool to create and store your planning ahead documents can be found at My Wishes The well-developed tool enables you to create, save and download documents for planning ahead. The resource includes bucket list templates and a "goodbye" message platform, sounds morbid possibly but trust me, it feels very powerful to take time out and commit to what you really want on your list.
On January 3rd I am launching Conversations About Advance Care Planning. The weekly podcasts talk about Advance Care Planning, what it is, how to do it and why it matters. I am honoured to have interviewed Clair Fisher as my first guest and you can find resource we talk about in the show notes.
Just a few ideas to kick start conversations and document plans. Let me know the one thing you will do this year to plan ahead.
Thank you for support, inspiration and shared learning throughout the year and good wishes for a safe and happy 2022.