As the famous saying goes, “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” Will you end up on the side of a Mt. Everest when you want to be on Waikiki Beach. Hopefully not. So, let’s talk about your destination, goals and coaching. I am passionate about coaching, whether it’s my son’s football team or working with clients and their families in executing financial plans. As a coach, I find the best approach is to start with the end in mind. What goals are we trying to accomplish? In a recent T. Rowe Price research study, 78% of retirees said that a vision or goal helped them as a guide during their transition into retirement.(1) Imagine that snow globe picture of your future that you have in your head. It changes all the time. Shake the snow globe. Think about what the globe is showing you now. Has the image changed? Is there a new goal?
Goal setting is a lost art, and while few people establish written goals, even fewer create a written plan to accomplish those goals. As a matter of practice, I set goals for 1, 3, 5 and 10 years and I revisit them every January. I started this process when I was in high school and I attribute my current situation, as business owner, living in San Diego with my family, and coaching football, as an outcome of the goal setting process. Goal setting, strategic planning, and execution are the pillars of my career and my personal life. To reinvigorate the goal process for you, let’s go through a few actions.
Action #1: Write down 1 financial goal that is new in the last year.
Think about your daily activities and how you view them. Without a destination in mind, saving money, going to the gym, and staying up with your kids to help them with homework can be a daily challenge. However, being financially independent, healthy to enjoy retirement, and having kids that learn how to follow through on their obligations are rewards that make the effort worthwhile. The outcome of each day won’t be perfect, but with a destination in mind, your progress will gain momentum.
Tip: Don’t let Perfection get in the way of Progress.
Now that you have a goal and know that the process won’t be perfect, it’s time to share.
Action #2: The next time we talk, please share your new goal with me.
As your coach, one of the things that I get excited about is helping people create and execute strategies that lead to the accomplishment of those goals. In 2018, we helped multiple families transition into retirement with confidence and a plan. Some of the goals that we are helping clients pursue right now are:
• Starting a new business venture
• Transitioning into a single-story home
• Planning for financial retirement
• Creating a legacy charitable fund for perpetual annual giving
• Traveling the world
It’s never too early or too late to set goals. Whether you are starting out on your career path, in your mid-career trying to gauge where you are headed, or contemplating retirement, it may be time to revisit your plan of action with someone that can help. Reach out to me and let’s make a plan together.
(1) Retirement Saving and Spending Study 4, 2018. Conducted for T. Rowe PRice by NMG Consulting