I’ve learned a lot over the last 15 years of running my own financial planning business.
Here are the top 3 lessons I’ve learned so far:
1. THE RACE IS LONG…
Longevity is more important than speed. You can’t sprint a marathon.
The strongest foundation is built through taking deliberate action consistently.
When I move too fast, I stumble and cross the finish line much later than if I had jogged instead of sprinted.
2. …AND IN THE END, IT IS ONLY WITH YOURSELF
When you finally approach that finish line, some will cross before you, some will cross after you… and none of that matters.
My most negative headspace always includes a comparison – either against others or against some naive, utopian future I envisioned before I knew better.
What helps in those moments is comparing Rick NOW vs. Rick THEN. And within that frame, I am never disappointed.
Who you become along the journey is the only thing that matters. No one will remember your score except for you.
3. GET COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE
Discomfort is inevitable whether you run the race or not.
Running the race will hurt immediately. You’ll get shin splits and blisters and tired lungs within your first mile. But those will go away as you build muscle and calluses and lung capacity.
As I’ve grown, new and different challenges always arise. They don’t get any easier to face, but they don’t throw me off course either. And that’s because I know that’s just part of the race.
Choosing to sit on the sidelines will avoid discomfort now. But the bed sores of rot are exponentially more painful than the blisters of growth.
Now all of that said, I…
1. Want to 10x this year (sprint much?)
2. Spent last Tuesday in a funk after comparing my progress against my own unrealistic goals (Ahem..)
3. Avoided the discomfort of recruiting for the last 6 weeks.
So if I could offer a bonus lesson, I guess it would be Easier Said, Than Done!
