Ever see My Cousin Vinny? It’s filled with memorable lines. My favorite’s Marisa Tomei stomping her foot at Joe Pesci, “My biological clock is ticking like this!”- like a countdown with a snarky attitude. Cracks me up every time.
But aren’t all our “clocks” ticking like that? We think we have forever to tackle the big stuff – until life says “sorry, that’s not the plan”. That’s what happened to my cousin Vinny, a distant cousin who lived louder than most.
Vinny had a larger-than-life personality – he’d enter a room, and things happened. He was a cartoon character, but also the guy who’d rebuild a neighbor’s deck for a sandwich and “thanks”. First one to jump in, no holding back. So when life threw him a brutal curveball – a medical diagnosis that changed everything, it was a sucker punch that hit us like a steam roller. Vinny’s clock was ticking, loud and fast…
But Vinny? He rose to the challenge. A natural planner, he always handled the family’s finances and personal business. Now every “someday” flipped to “ASAP”. Estate plan? Check. Online bill pay? Done. Bucket list moments? Happening now. The toughest: recording his voice, stories, and capturing his spirit to share his legacy with his grandchildren. No stone left unturned.
Through it all, he kept us laughing. When visits got heavy, he’d cut in with a grin and a quick quip. Reflecting once on the moment he received the diagnosis, he said, “I used to tell God if anyone in my family has to get sick, let it be me, as long as you leave the rest alone.” Then, dryly “I didn’t know he was listening.” That was Vinny – taking the hit, cracking a joke, keeping us steady.
Watching him, I thought… he’s living like the clock is ticking loud and fast… because it was. He didn’t coast – he went after what mattered most.
Vinny continues to inspire me to do my best to help high-achieving women achieve what matters most in their lives. Goals and dreams that don’t check a box but transform their future. What is your big dream? What is your #1 goal that will change the quality of your life when you achieve it? Vinny figured his out fast. If you were him, what would you do?
I’d love to hear what’s on your mind. No pressure – just a quick conversation to talk about your big audacious goal and how to make it happen. Let’s figure this out together. Click the button below | Book a spot on my calendar | Get clarity!
