The Eulogy Exercise

The Renew Your Mind Podcast: Episode 76

Begin With the End in Mind

Carve out unhurried and undistracted time to do this exercise.

The things we are consumed with day to day can often be completely different than what this exercise shows us is most important to us. And that dissonance should feel convicting, and make us uncomfortable, and drive us to make changes.

The Eulogy Exercise

Imagine you’re meeting with all your family members and friends for the funeral of a person you all know… and it turns out that person is you. You essentially get to be a fly on the wall at your own wake or funeral service. Everyone is coming to share about you and honor you.

During the ceremony four people are going to speak about you, sharing what they remember about you:

  • Your spouse or a close family member;

  • Someone younger you’ve poured into, maybe it’s your children if you have them. Maybe it’s a niece or nephew or someone you’ve mentored.

  • A dear friend;

  • A work colleague (this could be an employee, teammate, a client)

Think deeply and answer these questions:

  • What would you like each of these people to say about you and your life? 

  • Which values, contributions and achievements do you want to be remembered for? 

  • What difference would you like to have made in their lives?

Now, let’s take it a step further and imagine you see Jesus in the flesh walk into the service. 

After those 4 people have had their chance to speak, it’s Jesus’ turn:

  • What do you want Jesus to say about you as he reflects on the way you lived your life?

  • What do you want Jesus to say about your relationship with him? Your love for God?

  • What do you want Jesus to say about your love for others?

There is no specific format your eulogy needs to follow. It can be several paragraphs, a page full of bullet points, or even written like a story or a poem. There’s no right or wrong way to write your own eulogy. The point of this exercise is not to get it right.

After you’ve written your eulogy, consider:

  • What changes do you want to make to how you’re living your life right now?

  • What changes, if any, do you want to make to the present or future of your business?

  • As you reflect on your eulogy, what do you sense God is saying to you?