HTJ: 10,000 days and counting

About a week ago, I spoke with my friend and client, Bill, an attorney who left a large firm in Indianapolis in 1997 to strike out on his own. Since then, he’s built a successful law practice that continues to grow.

As we chatted about how far we’ve come since 1997 (laughing as we realized that was more than two decades ago), we drifted into a philosophical discussion about how much time we have left here on earth.

Time certainly has a way of grabbing our attention. When we think of time in increments, we realize how short life can be. Take 10,000 days, for example. 10,000 days comprises just over 27 years — almost how long since Bill started that new chapter for himself.

After 10,000 more days, Bill will be 87, and I will be 82. We pondered what (or even if!) we’ll be doing at that ‘advanced’ age and what our future would hold.

Our biggest conclusion? Regardless of what those days look like, good relationships with those around us lay the foundation for an enjoyable life.

Bill is one of those relationships for me — though we hold different opinions, we often find these differences humorous. Life is short, and we’d rather enjoy one another’s company than argue about minutia. 

Because, well, 10,000 days is not that long, after all. In fact, 20,000 days is not that long either.

The moral of this story and my conversation with Bill? The days go by fast.

And at the end of it all, our differences won’t matter. What will matter are the good relationships we’ve developed with those around us.

At Donovan, we take pride in our relationships with our clients. Whether it’s day 1, 100, or 1,000…we have a genuine interest in their financial health and future. 

So this week, look at the relationships you’re prioritizing, whether it’s old friends, new friends, or family members. The relationships we build will always be greater than the differences that seek to divide us.

Jeff Donovan