How Do We Stop Procrastinating Our Estate Planning?

I’ve been meaning to write this for a while…

but I’ve been procrastinating…

But that’s okay, because procrastination is a common human experience.  We all know that feeling. The looming deadline, the growing to-do list, and that nagging voice that says, “I’ll get to that later…” 

One of the easiest things to procrastinate is getting your estate plan in order.  For healthy individuals, there is no sense of urgency.  It is a discussion that forces us to confront our own mortality.  But when we know we ‘should’ do something, it takes up space in the back of our minds, weighing heavily.  Remember, estate planning is really one of the most unselfish things you can do for your loved ones in order to make things easier for them (and in line with your own wishes) if something happened to you temporarily or permanently.

So why do we procrastinate? And more importantly, how can we break free from its grip?

The Psychology of Putting Things Off

Procrastination isn’t simply laziness. It’s a complex interplay of psychological factors:

• Perfectionism: The desire to produce a flawless plan can be a significant obstacle. The fear of imperfection can lead to overthinking and analysis paralysis, ultimately preventing us from even starting.
• Lack of Clarity: Lack of understanding of what even goes into an estate plan can create confusion and uncertainty, making it difficult to know where to begin.
• Cognitive Overload: Juggling multiple responsibilities, personal and professional commitments, and other demands can overtake us, making it difficult to focus on any single task, especially one with difficult decisions and emotions.
• Overwhelm: When faced with a large or complex task that can have very big feelings attached to it, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged. This can lead to a sense of hopelessness and a desire to avoid the task altogether.

Breaking Free from the Procrastination Cycle with Your Estate Plan

Psychology tells us that there are proven actions for overcoming procrastination. I have built my practice to incorporate these techniques and address the most common reasons for “kicking the can down the road”. Together we make decisions in incremental steps, until everything is complete.

Here’s how we do it:

• Educate first: To address lack of clarity/ not knowing how to start, we always begin with a Life and Legacy Consultation Session where I help you understand what happens without a plan in place, and how to how to develop the plan you want.
• Break It Down: You don’t have to have it all figured out before we start. In fact, that’s what I’m here for. My process divides the BIG task of creating your estate plan into smaller, more manageable steps, with personalized “cheat sheets” created for you along the way.
• Prioritize and Schedule: While this part is up to you, I try to make it as easy as possible. You set the pace. We focus on what is important to you, and we work around your schedule. 
• On-Going Support: Don’t let perfectionism get in your own way. Your estate plan can and probably should change over the course of your life. That’s why I offer my clients complimentary reviews every three years. Updating your plan is easy and inexpensive once I get to know you and your goals.

Remember, estate planning is really one of the most unselfish things you can do for your loved ones in order to make things easier for them (and in line with your own wishes) if something happened to you temporarily or permanently.

Let’s break the cycle of procrastination together!  I can honestly say that 100% of my clients report a sense of accomplishment, ease and peace of mind at our signing meeting. It’s your turn to join the club of the 33% of people with an Estate Plan.

If you’ve been putting off Estate Planning for a while, or if you’re not sure where to start, reach out to me and let’s start a discussion. There’s no obligation, and the consultation is free of charge. You’ll be surprised how easy it is once we get started.