Thinking About the Unthinkable

I had to think the unthinkable last week.  What would happen if I had an accident that prevented me from working ever again?  I know, not a very nice thought, in fact it’s rather morbid, but as a business owner that solely depends on my ability to work to pay the bills….well it’s a something I had to face and plan for.

It’s not as if I have never thought about the subject, but as quickly as I’ve opened that door, I close it. Not a smart way to handle it, but it has never been a topic I’ve been truly comfortable with.  I’ve never been one to dwell on the “unthinkable.”  I’d say I’m your typical “take each day as it comes” kinda gal. And I’ve always been fine with that.

Yet, this shifted during a meeting with my insurance agent and I had no choice but to answer the question “What do you have planned if an unforeseen accident prevented you from working?”

Well, geezz… I don’t know (can we change the subject?).  The wheel in my mind began spinning and all those scenarios began playing in my mind and honestly —I didn’t have an answer.   I had no clue what would happen to my business, my home, my life, if I could no longer work.   I hadn’t prepared for that.  I mean, I have life insurance, so my family will have no worries when I drop dead…but be alive and not able to work…is that even possible for me…I’m sure that will never happen!

In a very tactful manner, my insurance agent assured me, that yes, although I may believe that I’m exempt from this possibility …Not so, this could very well happen to me as it happens to thousands of small business owners every year.   Every year business owners are faced with unexpected life altering moments.   Not only being faced with the impact an accident will have on them physically and the time and focus it will take them to get better, but how that accident will impact their business, their livelihood.

Talk about a slap to the face!   I was not at all prepared to hear that!

A huge reality check for me and a question I now have to have an answer to.  So I’m taking the steps now to put in place a plan.  A plan that will take care of my business, my home, my family if the unthinkable happens.  Between critical illness insurance and disability insurance

I have a lot to think about but the good thing is….I’m actually thinking about it.   Not simply closing the door.

The fact is as service providers, we depend on ourselves to get the work done.  Our livelihood depends on us being fit to do the job.

So, as uncomfortable the thought is — if the unthinkable happens –do you have a plan?

Written by:
Michelle Jamison
www.mjva.ca