Begin with the end in mind

It was I believe Steven Covey that made famous the saying, “begin with the end in mind.”
I do like that a lot with the things I plan and the activities I am involved in.  It does seem right to me to have in mind the end I would like to achieve, and to work back from that - planning the activities to make it happen.
Yet I must admit I do not think it goes far enough.  There is a real hesitancy (understandably) to talk about death and dying.  I think it is totally right to not dwell on such things - treating it in a morose, obsessed way.
Yet in our society I cannot help but feel the pendulum has swung too far.  To me there is a balance between thinking about the end of life and life here and now.  Proof to me that the pendulum has swung too far is the saying, “we never talk about death and taxes.”  I do not know about taxes, but when it comes to death, I really think it is important to talk about and consider it.  After all, if we are beginning with the end in mind then it seems to me death has to be seen as an end - the lot of us all.
To me beginning with the end in mind means I consider my end first and work back from there.  For me that has had incredible ramifications.  It has meant considering what the sages say.  I do that because I know of no endevour where getting good at it involves practice for the first time at performance.
It seems to me a pile of pursuits are legitimate goals.  But those who get good at something and become the best often say, “I had all I sought but it did not bring me the satisfaction I anticipated.”  It occurred to me recently that perhaps that is because the pursuer began with a claytons end in mind rather than the one that can truly matters most.
For me, beginning with my end in mind has put things in proper perspective and while goals may not differ, motivation does.