What would happen if you couldn’t make decisions for yourself anymore?

My Wednesday started a little differently, sitting down with my GP to complete a Queensland Advanced Health Directive.

It’s a legal document that spells out your wishes for medical treatment if you’re ever unable to make decisions for yourself—like whether you'd want to be let off life support.

Heavy, but necessary.

I chose to do this because I don’t want my loved ones to carry the weight of those tough choices. I want them to know exactly what I’d want so they don’t have to second-guess.

What does this have to do with LinkedIn and our careers?

Everything.

Our work is a big part of our lives, and we only get one life.

- We worry about things that, in the grand scheme, don’t really matter.
- We hesitate to post or share our real thoughts because we fear judgment.
- We hold back from doing what we deeply want.
- We're scared to confess to ourselves our wild dreams, and temper our bold ideas for mediocrity, or to fit in.
- Many of our decisions are made on autopilot, and years later, we look back and wonder why we didn’t go for it.
- We waste time waiting for the "perfect" moment that never comes.

When I turned 40 last year, I recorded a podcast episode: Leanne’s 12 Rules for Life.

Rule #1? We’re all gonna die (obviously, not a new perspective, ha ha, but it's something I remind myself of everyday).

(I'll share the YouTube clip in the comments).

As Thirsty Merc sings: “I live my life like I’m dying.”

So, what’s stopping you?

Is there really something external holding you back, or are you holding yourself tethered to a leash?