I’d never bothered to insure my life, income or health. That fact right there says a lot about who I used to be. Then I changed super funds (okay stay with me) and was forced to renew the insurances that came with it.

Previously I had always had automatic insurance and never checked it, but this time around I had to do it all myself. Having the initial phone call was scary. The whole process of insuring myself against the dangers of the world taught me so much.

Here’s what I learned:

The process involves thinking about the worst situation.

Through the life insurance process, I had to think about the worst-case scenario.

What if:

– You get hit by a car
– Get cancer
– Die from a skiing accident
– Are disabled and have to have a nurse fulltime

The thing is that the worst case scenario can happen to any of us. We can’t let fear control our lives.

All of these things can occur and we should at least try and have some plan, but living in this state is unhealthy. The life insurance process was supposed to make me fearful. That’s what would ultimately make me spend my hard earned dollars and go overboard trying to cover every scenario.

Unfortunately, there are a thousand things that can happen to you and you can’t insure every one of them. Even if you get the insurance, they can always come back later and determine that you didn’t qualify – especially when it comes to medical related events.

By all means, take up life insurance. Just remember that there are no guarantees in life.

What is the value of your life?

The conversation went like this:

Insurance salesman: “So Mr. Denning how much would you like to insure your life for?

Me: “I have no idea. What does the average Joe insure themselves for?”

Insurance salesman: “Well it depends on a number of factors. I can’t advise you of that. You have to tell me a figure though and it’s got to cover all of your costs in case you become disabled, sick, unable to work or die.

Me: “Geez, that’s a big deal! Okay, I need to go now and procrastinate on this for a while.”

Putting a dollar figure on my life seemed normal at the start. Later on, I realized it was complete madness. Am I not worth more to the world than numbers on an Internet Banking Screen?

Reflecting on this conversation still makes me feel weird. There are so many unanswered questions. Life insurance, again, made me rethink what the meaning of my life is.

I have the life insurance process to thank for this miracle deep thinking I did on the days that followed.

You’re forced to contemplate death.

Having to think about the 101 ways there are to die is a worthwhile process. You start remembering (even though you already know) that your time on this planet is limited. In my opinion, the more reminders you get, the better.

You again are faced with the question “When I’m gone, what will I leave behind?”

Life insurance companies would like you to think that leaving a truckload of money behind should be your number one priority. Through the life insurance process, I again remembered that I want more than that. I’m hoping that everyone reading this also has a similar realization.

My gianormous aha-moment!

Life Insurance taught me that my life is not about me.

Okay I know you probably think I’m stating the obvious but this whole life insurance thing taught me this lesson in an entirely new way. The reason that I decided to take up a few insurances was not because of me.

The old me was selfish, a brat and didn’t give anything to anyone.

The new me wants to ensure that my priority is the people around me. You take up insurance to make the lives easier for the people you love. You take up insurance to support those around you in case of the worst happening.

Life insurance is not about you. Life insurance is about the people you care about.

Just like with insurance, your life is not about you. Your life is about something bigger than you.

“The aim of the life game is to transcend yourself. To go bigger than just you with your nice little white house, with white picket fence and box car”

The value of your life is about what it means to everyone else and the difference you can make. Your life is about inspiring, giving and being more than you ever dreamed you could be.

Your life is worth more than money.
Your life is part of a much bigger picture and I want you to realize that.

You’re here for so much more than money and success.

Again, you’re here for more than just you. That’s what life insurance taught me.

If you want to increase your productivity and learn some more valuable life hacks, then join my private mailing list on timdenning.net