Calling All Control Freaks Adjust Your Focus

What Can You Really Control?

“I will invest in stock XYZ when it gets down to $5 and then sell when it reaches $40 all the while if I see the market is going to go down, I will sell ahead of it.”  This is a paraphrased quote I recently heard… Good luck with that plan!!  I wish I had that person’s “crystal ball”.  Many of us though, have attempted similar plans about something in our lives that we think we can control.  Can you really control the stock market, traffic, an upcoming election, other people…?  Nope, you just can’t.  And if you try, you will be a frustrated mess.  As a sometimes “control freak”, this can freak me out! 

Change your Focus

As tough as it is to admit, I can sometimes be a control freak.  However, I am learning to let go.  What is needed I have found, is a change of focus.  The little details we plan out step by step sound great but the reality is those details will need to regularly change with the many variables surrounding every relationship, a deadline at work and even the stock market’s impact on your financial plan.  If you can take a step back, “zoom out” so to speak, you will see the big picture.  You will then see what really matters to you, your family, profession and the legacy you want to imprint on others.  

What Really Matters

Control tendencies are often birthed from emotional fears.  If you can release these fears, you will find freedom.  Then you are able to focus on what really matters…. the things you value and which really are your goals.  How you spend your time, what you think about, who you spend time with all become a lot easier when you know what really matters, the big picture- where you should focus your energy, time and money on.  This is real financial planning.

Allow me the honor to Build for you or Revise your “current” Financial Plan.

Let’s Focus Together on What Really Matters,

Luke Fields, CFP®

Imprinting

Whether you realize it or not, you are imprinting.  What is imprinting?

I was speaking with our puppy’s dog trainer a while back and he said this: “Imprinting is really impactful.  It is the memory, trust and familiarity your dog will have of you… forever.”  At the surface, it made sense in terms of wanting our new family member, “Ollie” to listen to us, trust us, know our voices, remember our scent and be okay with us touching his paws (a big benefit for future nail-clipping :). 

In my last writing, I talked about Legacy and the importance of realizing that its impact is happening now, today… not later, “down the road” when you die.  I instantly made the connection.  There is much more to how a Legacy gets created.  It is not just “leaving” a legacy, it is “imprinting” a legacy.

It is Not Just for Dogs

Every day we imprint ourselves on those around us; a spouse, children, friends and co-workers.  Wow.   Memories of me are being imprinted on those around me, possibly forever.  Have you ever heard the often used expression “more is caught than taught”?  Imprinting can be verbal but often it is what we don’t say; our actions both good and not so good.  I know my kids learn a lot by watching how I handle money, talk with others and how I spend my time.  In what I say and do, I want to teach them not only good financial habits but a deep love for God, respect of others and foster a heart of service.

Be Intentional

Imprinting your Legacy goes beyond the important financial habits and decisions we all face.  It includes all of life’s possible behaviors and emotions.   So as your legacy is being created now, your imprinting on others needs to be intentional.  Develop a purposeful plan to imprint and leave the legacy you desire.  This is part of the goal discussion when we create a financial life plan for clients.

Imprinting a Legacy,

Luke Fields, CFP®

Any opinions are those of Luke Fields and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and CFP® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.