News Copy - By Astrid Hall
Four out of 10 Brits regret the way they have lived their lives so far, according to research.
The study found spending too much time at work and not seeing more of the world are among the biggest regrets.
Not paying attention to their health as early as they could have done also featured, alongside a feeling they could have been a 'better parent'.
Failing to spend enough time with family over the years also made the list.
However, the same research found 40 per cent want to make positive change to their lives in the near future.
The survey was commissioned by Remember A Charity, a consortium of over 200 UK charities, which encourages people to consider leaving a legacy gift in their Will after they have secured their friends and family’s future.
Deborah James, one of the founding members of You, Me and the Big C and founder of the blog, Bowel Babe, said: “For me, creating a legacy is not just for those that are facing terminal illness, it also helps us to think about how we wish to live our lives.
"Since being diagnosed with cancer, I’ve had to think not only about what might happen in the future, but make decisions that help me to focus on living in the present.
“All of us will die one day – none of us know when that time might come, and none of us want to have regrets about what we’ve missed out on or how we’ve lived our lives.
"This research is a really interesting wake up call to get us to think about how we want to spend our time now and to lay foundations for those that come after us.”
The study also found more than half of those polled know it’s not too late for them to achieve their life goals.
Three in four agree you only regret the things you DON’T do in life.
And two thirds are worried about how their children will remember them and want to use their time to make lasting, positive memories.
Of the 2,000 adults surveyed via OnePoll, many would like their loved ones to remember them as being funny, caring and happy, as well as sociable and talented.
But despite this, Brits expect friends and family to recall memories of them being moody and anxious.
Others hope to be remembered for being successful and adventurous.
It also emerged nearly four out of ten would want those closest to them to recall their generosity.
And three in 10 would like to be remembered for being charitable and supporting the causes they are passionate about.
However, the research also revealed the obstacles holding us back from achieving our life wishes, including watching too much TV and spending far too long staring at mobile phones.
Nearly half have felt held back from a desire to feel financially successful, but that doesn’t mean to say it’s not too late to make a change.
Rob Cope, director of Remember A Charity, added: “Our research clearly shows that how we’re remembered is very important.
"One way we can help to create the world we’d like to see is by leaving a gift to charity in our Will - once family and friends have been taken care of.
"It’s a fantastic way to create your own personal legacy and pass on something wonderful. Even a small amount can make a huge difference.
“Legacy giving is currently worth more than £3 billion to good causes every year, funding more than a third of Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work and launching six in 10 lifeboats.
"Without the public’s continued generosity, many of the causes we rely on wouldn’t exist for the next generation.”
ENDS
