Counting Summers: How Many Do You Have Left?

As I celebrated a milestone birthday last month, I’ve found myself reflecting on life—past, present, and future. Birthdays have a way of making us pause, take stock, and ask the bigger questions.

Through that time reflecting, I was reminded of a powerful story from a book I read called The 5 Types of Wealth. The author shared a conversation with a friend that has stuck with me ever since. The friend asked him how old his mother was. He said she was 75. The friend replied, “If you only see your mom once a year, and the average life expectancy is about 80, you will only see her five more times.”

Five more times.

That realization stopped me in my tracks. It’s both shocking and sobering. It reframes time not as an endless resource, but as the most precious and finite asset we have. It made me think: How many summers do I have left? And more importantly, how am I planning to maximize them?

The Summers Ahead

When you’re young, summers feel endless. Well, at least that’s how I felt. My summers were pretty cool—full of vacations, family reunions, riding my bike with friends, time spent at the pool, laughter with family, and even getting into a little unnecessary summer trouble (LOL).

But as the years pass, those summers shrink in number. And if we’re not careful, we can fall into the trap of “waiting”:

• Waiting to take that dream vacation with the family.

• Waiting to play that bucket-list golf course with friends.

• Waiting to finally travel to the Cape of Good Hope.

• Waiting to invest more for retirement or for our family’s future.

But waiting often means missing. And when time—not money—is our most sacred resource, waiting is the one luxury we can’t afford.

The Empowered Choice

Here’s the truth: each of us has a choice. We can allow our summers to drift by unnoticed, or we can squeeze every ounce of meaning, connection, and joy out of them. The cool part? The decision is ours to make.

So as I step into another year, I’m committing not just to living more summers, but to maximizing them.

Here’s My Plan to Maximize the Summers I Have Left

1. Build a Summer List

   Each year, I’ll create a short list of experiences I want to embrace—whether that’s traveling somewhere new, checking off a bucket-list golf course, or simply carving out more time for family barbecues. One non-negotiable adventure per summer will keep me moving forward.

   
   

2. Prioritize People Over Things

   I’ll say “yes” more often to dinners, trips, and time with loved ones. I don’t want to look back and realize I missed moments with people who matter most. Relationships will take priority over tasks.

   
   

3. Protect My Health and Energy

   I’ll commit to the fitness, nutrition, and daily practices that keep me energized. Summers are best lived fully present and physically capable, so I owe it to myself to be ready for them.

   
   

4. Audit My Time

   At the end of each summer, I’ll pause and ask: Did I spend this season in ways that brought me joy, growth, and connection? If not, I’ll recalibrate for the next.

   
   

An Invitation

This is my plan. But here’s the thing: I don’t want to walk this path alone. I’d like to invite you to join me on this journey to maximize the summers we have left.

Ask yourself: How many summers do you have left—and what will you do to make them count?

The choice is in your hands. Let’s choose wisely, together.

And…if this was helpful, please like the blog ❤️ and share it with your social community.

Now, let’s create our best life!

— Coach Joe