Recently I was walking on a crowded sidewalk and found myself behind a big man wearing a gray suit. Mr. Gray Suit was carrying a large backpack that hung to his side. He was wearing headphones and seemingly lost in whatever he was listening to. And, he was walking slowly. In short, he was taking up the entire sidewalk and holding up pedestrian traffic. Lost in his own world, and seemingly unaware of the other people whose lives he affected at that moment. Have you ever encountered this type of person? Mr. Gray Suit was just the latest example for me. In this era of smartphones, Google Maps, Apple Music, podcasts, audiobooks, and headphones, I find more and more examples of people lost in their own space and unaware that they are having an impact on other people’s space, even at a moment in time.

Are You Aware Of Your Finances?

All of this got me thinking about people and whether they are similarly unaware of their financial place on the sidewalk. (How’s that for a transition from a sidewalk encounter to a financial blog topic? Smooth? Or not very?) Do you think you are big, move slowly, and therefore block other people from achieving their goals? Are you small and nimble and able to pick your way through the crowded space? Perhaps you are a “tour guide” and hold a small flag high or wear a crazy shirt so that others in your group will always know where you are? Or are you always on your Maps app on your phone, unsure of yourself and needing constant direction and reinforcement for your actions? As an adviser and financial planner, I see all of these types. None is better or morally superior to another.

What Is Best For You?

The goal is to find the method that works best for you, as long as you don’t become Mr. Gray Suit and block others (perhaps in your own company or family) from achieving their own goals. Most of the time, unless you are really on top of things and know exactly where you want to go and how you want to get there, it is best if you have some outside guidance along the way. Maybe you don’t need constant guidance in the form of an in-person tour guide or your favorite Maps app, but it is highly advisable to look at your route before you set off on a trip.

IMO

Making your plan before you start your trip is where I come into the picture. As a CFP® Professional, I can help you develop your destination and plan your route. I can also make sure you are aware of where you are and that you don’t get in the way of other people while you are on your journey. It is really hard to get somewhere if you don’t know where you want to go! This is especially true with your finances. Contact me so I can help you with your goals and your route to get there.