This is something we don't really think about properly. And, as a result, we set weak goals for ourselves which we never keep.
Rather than wait until January to even give our health a second thought, let's start now and start with this question, an interesting question without a rational answer.
It would appear that the price we are willing to pay for our life is completely different depending on the situation we are faced with.
Ask any high powered business executive in his 40's what he'd pay now to extend his life by a month, he'd probably dismiss the question as irrelevant.
But what if you asked a 67 year old millionaire on his hospital bed, having suffered paralysis of his entire body following a stroke, unable to move or talk? How much do you think he would pay to restore his health and have just one more month of fulfilling life with his family, his children, his friends?
He would probably pay every penny he has for this chance, to be able to do as many wonderful things as possible, things that had been put off, because there ‘just wasn’t time’.
Now, how about you said to the 40 year old businessman that he could extend his life by 10 years by simply investing NOW in fitness, health, mindfulness and nutritional advice and slowing down a little.
I can hear it now... "How much?! Sounds like a waste of money to me, I don't have time, I'll slow down when I retire"
Why do people time and time again FAIL to value their health until it's too late?
Why would someone pay millions for a month more quality life at 67 and yet others refuse to invest any time or money at 40, for 10 more years, possibly more. It makes no sense at all.
Humans cannot effectively focus on long term goals without a lot of effort and daily reminders or 'nudges' in the right direction.
The 'nudges' we need can take many forms, perhaps written reminders in diaries or calendar entries, perhaps daily affirmations about our health goals or a set of rules to live by which can be read each morning. Linking up with a friend and holding each other to account is also a great idea.
These simple suggestions can help us to effortlessly and gradually form lifelong healthy habits.
And that's what I'm trying to achieve. I'm trying to remind people that what you take for granted now and do not value, you would give everything you have to extend it just a tiny amount if you needed to, but that by then, it could be too late.
SO ACT NOW.
Don't let the clock run down on your own life simply because it doesn't matter to you enough RIGHT NOW, because it soon will.
And the richest person alive can't cheat death.
Enjoy the festive season, but use the time off before the New Year to make a plan, a plan to value your life more in future.