Starting from the End
My son, Johnny, recently released a country song called My Last Day, and one line has stayed with me.
The song tells the story of a man dying alone in the ICU while watching friends and family visiting the patient next door. The dying man decides that his neighbor was different because he “started from the end.” The dying man obviously didn’t.
“Begin with the end in mind.” I read that idea in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People years ago. It’s the 2ndhabit.
In other words, before undertaking a task or choosing a different path, think long and hard about the end product. Once you’ve got that idea fixed firmly in your mind, figure out the steps that will get you there.
I write books this way, plan preaching this way, and try to live this way.
Starting from the end is not just a good goal-setting strategy. It’s a good life strategy.
One day, you will look back on your life. The question is—will you like what you see?
We don’t drift toward the life we want—we drift toward the life we tolerate. We have the opportunity today to choose how our last chapter ends, but our efforts for positive change must be intentional.
Begin with the end in mind. What do you want your life to look like at the end, or even beyond? Start there and then live backwards to today. After reflecting on the changes you need to make so your end matches your aspirations, live in a way that makes your dreams a reality.
Most people don’t think about their last day until it’s near — but wisdom teaches us to live today in light of that day.
The Psalmist underscored this idea with these words in Psalm 90:12: “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
We want our days to count, but count for what? Toward what matters most—God’s purposes, the people we love, and the legacy we leave. So, we should live every day with the end in mind.
How can you do this? You could imagine how you hope your life will be remembered. How will your ideal life be described? Then plan backward from that day to today. How should you live now so that you really do end well?
Maybe before you begin this exercise, stop and pray. Ask God to teach you to number your days. To reflect. To plan.Starting from the end isn’t just a strategy for accomplishing goals—it’s a strategy for living a life you won’t regret.
