moneyFYI
Financial Freedom Is Merely Organized Common Sense
We Are Never Finished
Getting there
It is a mistake to decide we have accomplished what we set out to do. The world does not work like that. The future will be different enough that we must adjust from time to time.
The man who is cocksure that he has arrived is ready for the return journey. B.C. Forbes
Having arrived is only visible from the present looking back at the past. The future may have other ideas.
Moving On
One of the steps that matters in planning and achieving our goals is to always have new goals. Human minds are very good at problem solving and moving on to a new objective. We must not let our brains go into neutral with the idea that we have done everything we must.
Motivation
We achieve things when we are motivated to do so. The goal is often daunting and people give up or put in only token effort. That won’t work.
When we look at high achievers, we find they have another method. They look at the process of achieving the goal as their personal purpose.
“The journey is the reward” Steve Jobs
Finding and overcoming obstacles becomes the kick. Edison did it, too. Ford did it. Sam Walton did it.
Brains that face no problems atrophy.
Attitude
Some people assume that their achievements are forever. That is not possible because the solutions are related to a given situation. Context.
Context changes and the people change. It is not reasonably likely that a solution developed in a different context will continue to work in the new one.
Context matters no matter who you are or what you have done so far. A fine example of different context relates to Col. Tom Parker – Elvis Presley’s manager. His context changed dramatically in August 1977, but his old attitude made it hard for him to retrench. He had few allies.
“Why should I be nice on the way up, I’m not coming back down.” Col. Tom Parker
Be polite and aware of your surroundings. You never know what can change or what help you may need.
Hold on to curiousity.
Stay in the problem finding and answer seeking mode as long as possible. Study the environment for new variables and solutions. Be curious. Curiousity is the way to stay in touch with context. And it’s fun.
Curiosity is the cure for boredom. There is no cure for curiousity. Dorthy Parker
Application
Retirement planning matters and it is easy to assume everything is done. Could be true today, but that says little about tomorrow.
An estate distribution planning is closely connected to retirement income planning. Try to deal with them together. A review at least every two years is important. Perhaps more often as you get older. Things can change quickly after retirement and the ability to change the income/spending equation becomes challenging.
The sooner it is started the better.
Always include regular review in your plan. The process of record, review, revise. The 3Rs will do the best with what you have to work with.
Don Shaughnessy arranges life insurance for people who understand the value of a life insured estate. He can be reached at The Protectors Group, a large insurance, employee benefits, and investment agency in Peterborough, Ontario. In previous careers, he has been a partner in a large international public accounting firm, CEO of a software start-up, a partner in an energy management system importer, and briefly in the restaurant business.
Please be in touch if I can help you. don@moneyfyi.com 866-285-7772
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