What’s one to do when the world we live in is turned upside down in a matter of weeks?
Life as we know it has changed forever.
Only a month ago, investment markets were at all-time highs.
A few weeks later and COVID-19 has blown up investment markets.
Retirement plans decimated.
Investment portfolios hammered.
The world engulfed with fear and uncertainty.
What are we to make of all this?
Words of wisdom from a podcast with Jerry Colonna (author of Reboot).
Jerry said:
“the world is impermanent, and it’s all falling apart all the time, and that SUCKS.”
Not very motivating, hey?
In times like these, there’s no beating around the bush.
We must accept the truth that no-one knows what’s going to happen.
It’s not a path we’ve been down before.
Jerry went on to quote Pema Chödrön,
“All around us, the wind, the fire, the earth, the water are always taking on different qualities. We also change like the weather. We ebb and flow, like the tides (or the markets). We wax and wane like the moon (or the markets). We fail to see that, like the weather, we are fluid, not solid, and so we suffer… If we learn to sit still like a mountain in a hurricane… Then we are not this separate being who has to have things turn out our way. When we stop resisting and let the weather simply flow through us, we can live our lives completely. From her book, Comfortable with Uncertainty…”
Rather than trying to move like the wind.
We should remain still and un-movable like a mountain in a hurricane.
For now, the wind has blown you off course.
Sure we’d all like to know what is going to happen tomorrow.
It would make life more predictable and safer.
It’s the security and safety we as humans are all chasing.
The FACT is, we don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow.
That’s why following a proven process is more important than the plan itself.
A process we follow religiously with all pre-retiree and retiree clients alike, because it works.
So, when the wind blows you off course, and you deviate from your plan.
We know what it is that we’re supposed to do to get back on track.
Have you got a proven plan to get you back on track and narrow the GAP when the wind blows you off course?
The decisions you make now are more critical than ever.
They will either blow up your retirement dreams or set you up to thrive on the other side.
And there will be the other side of this.
Now’s the time to embrace reality and find a guide who can help you “crack the code” so you arrive at retirement financially prepared.
So you know you’ll never worry about running out of money in retirement.
Jerry went on to say:
“We think that we’re supposed to tell our children what’s going to happen with the coronavirus pandemic, and so we make it up. But they’re smart, and they see through us. And what we inadvertently send to them is a message that says, “Do not trust what I say…” If we expand that to our employees, to our significant others, to our clients, what we’re destroying is the number one resource we need in times like this: trust in each other. All because we don’t know what to do with our own fear of not being enough, our own fear of not having answers… So step one is getting yourself under control… We’ve got enough virus passing in the world. Our job is not to pass along the virus of our anxiety.”
And, I couldn’t agree more with Jerry.
Sometimes, it’s the fear of not having answers to do what you should be doing.
It’s a knowledge “GAP.”
And yes, there was a day a number of weeks ago where I feel in a hole.
We’re all affected in some way.
We wouldn’t be human, after all.
But, I had to pick myself back up.
I had to be there for my clients.
Be that guiding light to help them see reason through these collapsing markets and the COVID-19 pandemic.
After all, no one knows how this thing is going to play out.
We use the experience of the past and how that played out.
The rules and processes we use today are to protect client’s lifestyles and retirements in times of unchartered waters.
For some, they’ve got this.
For others, it a time where costly mistakes are made that will ruin retirements.
Reacting in ways they don’t need too.
Driven by fear.
It’s no different than the absurd behaviour of people clearing the shelves of toilet paper and hand sanitiser.
Not aware of the fact that we are not going run out of toilet paper, nor are we going to run out of food.
In times like these, I like a quote from Warren Buffett, yes I’m a big fan.
“it times like these that when the tide goes out, we find out who’s been swimming naked.”
And yes, there are many swimming naked right now.
Can you see them?
One way to look at it in times like these is to think.
What does this make possible?
Those heading towards retirement have an opportunity like never before.
While many will disagree.
I believe this is the best of times to get your money shit sorted so you can thrive on the other side.
You know how you’re going to feel when your investments take a hit.
Plans are being stress-tested right in front of you.
It’s time to leave fear behind and take note of how you are feeling now.
Write it down and make adjustments on the other side.
It’s also a wakeup call for those that have been living life on the edge.
Jerry went on to say:
“The wish for safety drives so many of our behaviours. And in modern society, the best manifestation of safety is the myth we tell ourselves that money’s going to buy us not just happiness but make us safe. It’s like we think of it as the wall outside our gated community. We’re inside, untouchable. And it’s times like this where we realize, whoa, maybe we are touchable… right? And so we have to go back and re-examine that wish for safety and remember other forms of safety. So that again, we can look with discernment about our choices. “
Times like these allow us to reconsider what’s important to us.
Those materials things that add no value don’t help you right now.
Take the time now to get a proven process in place.
So you arrive at retirement, not only knowing you’re going to be ok, but you’ll never have to worry about running out of money.
Arrive at retirement, knowing you’re not going to have to work any longer than you have too.
Knowing you won’t have to sacrifice your lifestyle in retirement.
Have a proven process in place that will hold up in times like these.
And there will be more of them, perhaps not a world pandemic.
You’re investment strategy, based on the empirical evidence, not hope and pray strategies.
Your personal invitation to a Secure Your Retirement Strategy Call:
To help you navigate through this period of unprecedented turmoil and disruption, I’ve opened up a spot on my calendar for you.
So, I’d love to offer you a complimentary 1 one 1 “Secure Your Retirement Strategy Call“ with me.
It’s a simple way to help you figure out the right money moves you can make right now and thrive on the other side.
Many lack a proven process to get them back on track when events like these blow them off course.
Here’s what we’ll cover on your call:
#1 Help you unpack your most pressing issues and concerns right now.
#2 Uncover what needs to change, if anything, what to pivot and prioritise in order of importance.
#3 Figure out what’s working and what’s not.
#4 Come out with a clear action plan and next critical steps.
In times of unprecedented events, you’ll come out with a crystal clear gameplan.
You’ll be more confident about the future, knowing what you have control over.
Instead of feeling frustrated, unsure, you’ll be excited about what’s to come.
You’ll have your personalised gameplan to get you right back on track.
It’s time to book your Secure Your Retirement Strategy Call. Click here to book>>
Retirement Planning is all we do. We live and breathe this every day. Safely taking clients from where they are and showing them a proven path to get them to retirement financially prepared.
You got this!
P.S. I wanted to leave you with a couple of final quotes from Jerry:
“The wish for safety drives so many of our behaviours. And in modern society, the best manifestation of safety is the myth we tell ourselves that money’s going to buy us not just happiness but make us safe. It’s like we think of it as the wall outside our gated community. We’re inside, untouchable. And it’s times like this where we realize, whoa, maybe we are touchable… right? And so we have to go back and re-examine that wish for safety and remember other forms of safety. So that again, we can look with discernment about our choices. “
“We’re still a tribe—a prehistoric character sitting around a fire, trying to make sense of the world. We see a shooting star. What does that mean? We create a myth; we hear a lion roaring in the forest. What does that mean? We tell each other stories. It’s times like this where we get to be human together. And that… that’s a gift. The antidote, the true source of safety, is belonging.”
Glenn Doherty – CFP – Founder & Financial Organiser at Jigsaw Private Wealth
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Glenn Doherty – CFP – Founder & Financial Organiser at Jigsaw Private Wealth
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