A year before we moved to Atlanta, we were living in Houston.
I played with the idea of leaving investment management and working at a company, here in Atlanta.
Carters, The Atlanta Fed, or learn to play golf.
None were great options that got me excited to get out of bed every day.
But I needed to make a decision.
My dad said to stop putting so much pressure on myself.
But I felt I was losing the Game of Life.
While there was no way I could turn such a difficult time into a game, I was sick of being a Non-Player Character.
In games, a NPC goes through the motions. Like this turkey in the middle of the road.
NPCs get murdered over and over again so the player can level up.
Then I thought back to my investment career, we investors think in terms of probability.
I have created decision trees that help take the emotional part of the decision out of the equation.
When I didn’t know which way to turn, I made a decision tree to help me decide what to do.
Once I made the tree which consisted of playing it safe or choosing the road less traveled, the map was clear to me.
But what if I’m making the wrong choice?
In Rick Rubin’s book, The Creative Act, we are not playing to win, we’re playing to play. Creativity is just free play with no rules, it's easier to submerge yourself in joyfully in the process of making things.
Set the bar low, especially to get started, frees you to play, explore and test without attachments to results.
I signed up for year-long course to study and become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ to see if I could use my time well and pass the 6-hour test before we moved.
In the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Robert T. Kiyosaki, says:
Make daily choices: You have the power every day to be rich or poor.
Your spending habits reflect who you are and I would add our decisions reflect who you are.
A few nights ago I had a huge mood swing.
I have no idea what caused it. But I had a choice.
I could have had a glass of wine and watched Modern Family with my husband
but instead, I decided to get some work done.
I felt immediately better. Following up and taking action.
Find a reason greater than reality, the power of spirit.
Many of us want to be financially independent, but the road can seem much more difficult.
When I was studying for 8 hours a day, Trusts & Estate, Insurance, Taxes, Financial Planning, and Investment Management, I had to have a greater goal, a reason to push through the obstacles.
If I didn’t have this, I would have given up.
The path I picked was the hardest, but it has had the best payoff so far.
Making a decision is better than making no decision at all.
Thanks for reading!
Your Friendly Wealth Engagement Guide,
Tiffany Kent, Tiffany@wealthengagement.com
Empowering women to take control of their future!
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This commentary offers generalized research, not personalized investment advice. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a complete description of our investment services or performance. Nothing in this commentary should be interpreted to state or imply that past results are an indication of future investment returns. All investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with an investment & tax professional before implementing any investment strategy. Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.
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