This year has gone passed so quickly it is almost unbelievable. My writing began a few times this year and each time I want to publish it seems something else has changed. This reinforced my understanding that change is continuous and consistent. And although there is change, how much of it actually impacts my life? A question that is pertinent especially when it comes to investing and wealth management. I hope to break this down in this article with references to global points of reference.
Change is something we must embrace and plan for. This happens, sometimes quickly, and by understanding, accepting and now planning for it, we can ensure that everything will be ok. So now is your opportunity to make that change, engage on your planning and reap benefits for you and your family’s lives.
Where does one start to change?
With oneself. You can only truly change yourself and by doing so you change your environment. When you get stuck in something that is almost impossible, you are fighting against change not moving with it. My global reference point in this is Brexit. It seems that this is something that will never get sorted out. This was meant to be in force from this week Thursday (31 October 2019) but has been pushed out, again, to sometime next year. I have seen a few articles referring to how this deal may never actually ever be reached. My views are that this was never properly evaluated or planned. Politicking pushed this through driven by narrow and isolationist viewpoints that had short-term agendas. Normal politics really, similar to what’s happening all over the globe – Chile, France and Hong Kong.
David McWilliams, an economist and commentator, gave a tremendous snapshot of Brexit. His view is that Boris Johnson will be UK’s last prime minister. It is his belief then that the UK will split up. This change will be quite something to behold and one change Brexiteers didn’t quite realise could happen. This will mean that England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will split. I am not sure those rural voters that pushed this though understood this was a possibility? This is something to stay in touch with as Europe is our biggest trading partner?
When should one change?
As above, it seems prudent to do so when things seem to always be going wrong. Here I refer to how the POTUS, Donald Trump, surges from one crisis to another. He bellows his own viewpoint inexplicably from whatever soap box avails itself. Whenever it is expedient for him he will flip flop or befuddle Americans with well placed and sourced anchors from which to prove a point. Our world seems, according to him, to be constantly in that state of ‘crisis’ that requires solving. Amazingly he seems to credit himself with solving crises of his own making.
This veneer is thinning and with impeachment processes already in full swing it may be prudent for the POTUS to change his approach. Doubtful as you would need to have humility and perspective for this to happen. In order to accept change one must accept that some things are out of our control. We observe, plan and understand what is happening but don’t try change it, move with it and adjust our tack accordingly.
Focus
I, for one, have stopped consuming daily media. Doing anything regularly, especially sensationalist media that relies on clicks or comments, shortens focus. Since earlier this year I changed to rather gain insights and knowledge through books (written and Audible), podcasts and catching up on new on the weekend. My aim is to focus on trends, how to properly manage wealth and building successful financial plans. There is not much that happens today that wasn’t already building up long before. Through analysing global trends and ensuring that we are clear about our goals, we can plan for these changes so that they do not have long term negative impacts.
Why is this important to you, as our valued clients?
As your financial planning partner, our responsibility is your wealth and protection thereof. So it is important for you to know our vision. As we learn about who you are and what drives you, we also gain an understanding of your financial concerns and anxieties. Through partnering with you we empower you to navigate your way to success.
Our focus is always on what is best for you as a client. As such we need to remain nimble, agile and consistently searching for solutions. By providing a complete platform for all your financial planning needs we enable you to focus on your life’s passion. When you are free to find your true path, anything is possible, and we can truly build an exceptional world. So, we embrace change as part of this and while our world changes around us, our focus is on you.
