30+ years ago when I started in this industry as a career agent in Keene NH – the tagline used by the insurance company that I represented was “you cannot predict but you can prepare”.

For many of us, we’ve all witnessed the impact of planning first-hand – in our families, amongst our circle of friends, and throughout our communities.  And, remember this, we all have a plan whether we consciously develop one or consciously decide to “deal with it when the time comes”. 

I call the latter philosophy the plan of hope which, by the way, is our default plan and it goes something like this:

Hope that you stay healthy and live a great life.

But, if that doesn’t happen then you hope that your health issue isn’t major.

But, if it is then you hope that you have the resources to address the issue.

But, if you don’t then you hope that you money available to pay for what you need.

But, if you don’t then you hope that someone is able to help you.

Then, you hope that the event is short-lived and doesn’t upset your wishes and impact your family, your legacy, or anything else that you wanted.

That is a really negative application for the plan of hope.  You are simply hoping for the best.

An intentional plan is the only way to not rely on the plan of hope.  Seriously, it is that simple.  An intentional plan, at a minimum, shares your vision and how you intend for things to play out if the situation arises.

You don’t build a house without a blueprint (a plan).

You don’t make dinner without a recipe (a plan).

You don’t play a round of golf without a strategy (a plan).

Why would you want to face a health situation without a plan?

Why?

I’m not talking about paying for your care.  I am talking about deciding how you would like things to be executed when the situation occurs, who will be responsible when you are unable to manage your affairs, and more. 

It’s really important.

Unless you want to “deal with it when the time comes” and surrender control.

Take some time – devise a plan then share that plan with your family.

And take note here – not once have I said anything about funding a plan because our first step to getting a client to take action is to acknowledge there is an issue, a problem, a challenge, an opportunity. 

Once they take that step, then you can move into the problem-solving mode and discuss strategies.

Need a blueprint for a planning conversation?  Here you go – the OneAmerica Financial Plan for Care Strategy worksheet.