Newsletter 2604: Lets have a tough conversation
"Over half the adult population globally does not have a basic will and the percentage who do not have their critical digital and financial accounts truly organised... is likely far, far higher."
— The Reality Gap, 2026
Background
OK - this might be a bit of a downer subject.. (but it's a short one)
Talking about end-of-life is generally avoided. And that's the problem, because - it's inevitable.
So, we avoid planning, wills and even saying what our basic wishes are, sometimes, unfortunately until it's too late.
We've both had scares in our lives. Maybe we've also been a little lazy and a touch overwhelmed with the cost of lawyers, the paperwork needed and the fear of facing up to what it takes to be prepared.
So we started with a list - a short checklist - the most crucial things to do if we're incapacitated or just not around any more.
Funeral wishes, directions to where our accounts are, people we trust to keep our records and basic household information (where are the keys?).
It's easy to find - our 'Inevitable' files are orange and very visible.
We keep them updated regularly to make sure they're always current - it's easy.
Of course we have all the other things like wills, insurance policies, deeds etc. - but they're for later,
We sleep easy, knowing if something (maybe even the inevitable) happened - our families will (we think) be sad but able to deal with those first few, difficult days!
Don't think of this as morbid planning; think of it as a way to help others
Access to information (even just a short checklist) or a well-planned Digital Will is not just an act of kindness for your future beneficiaries—it’s an act of self-care that immediately brings order, security, and peace to your life today.
Don't leave your loved ones guessing. We've created The Inevitable Checklist - a 'break glass" roadmap to give vital information to those around you when its needed.
Tales of Contrast
The Unprepared
"When Sarah’s father passed, he left a thriving small business and a beautiful home. But he also left a locked iPhone and a paperless bank account no one could find. Three years later, the family is still in probate."
On it's way..
"Yeh - I signed up for a will, have started a folder - I'll get to it this weekend.."
The Prepared
David spent one weekend organising his stuff and where things could be found. His family mourned him with stories, not spreadsheets."
Our company is called SilverWalk - it's a merging of our names and our philosophy.
Life is a journey and we can make it tough or we can look for the silver within it. Through our combined journey of 140+ years we've found a way to navigate life and find the silver linings it contains.
We're passionate storytellers, neuroscience thinkers, communicators, coaches, business leaders, life connoisseurs and good blokes.
We're sharing our learnings and expertise across many areas of life, bringing you the best lessons we've learned to help guide your business and personal growth.
From high-stakes pitching to your final legacy, we help you master the skills of authoritative communication and clear thinking.
Join Gary and Mike: two proactive seniors - enthusiastic, talkative, experienced thinkers and entrepreneurs as they explore and muse on life, neuroscience, speaking in public, Viking funerals and reinvent your thinking ......