If you think about the most successful people you know, you’ll probably find that it’s not just one extremely developed talent that enables that success, but a balance of two different — maybe very different — characteristics. Think of the scientist with entrepreneurial spirit, or the specialized doctor with exceptional bedside manner. It’s this best of both worlds scenario that turns very good to extremely great. When you look at your life and investments, the same kind of balance should be your goal.
In harmony
Those of you who know me well, know that music has always played an important role in my life. I’ve played guitar for 15+ years for fun, as a teacher and semi-professionally here and there. Over the years I’ve worked with and become friends with talented people in the music industry who focus on writing, performing, and building their brand, as well as those who focus on booking shows, organizing logistics and making connections. One can’t exist without the other and the two sides have to be completely in sync for beautiful music to be both made AND heard. It’s all about balance.
Similarly, we encourage you to look at your life and your money with the same kind of interdependence and balance in mind. Each enables the other. Life decisions affect your fiscal situation. Money decisions impact your life and lifestyle.
Stay in sync
When we work with clients, we are paid to manage their money, but we spend a lot of time talking about the non-financial aspects of their lives. We don’t sell financial products. We don’t lure clients with investment-du-jour fads or promises of outperforming the market. Our work is about using real field tested investment strategies that fit each client’s unique lifestyle, priorities and goals.
Ultimately, our approach revolves around two equally important lists: 1) your money AND 2) your life.
Your money
- Saving
- Investing
- Investing wisely
- Suppressing taxes
- Reducing costs
- Deflecting product sales pitches
- Maintaining a skeptical eye
- Building the framework
- Designing a custom plan
- Considering all financial goals
Your life
- Your health
- Your family/spouse/kids/
grandkids - Your interests
- Your friends
- How you spend your time
- How you want to spend your time
- Your purpose
- Your worries
- Your hopes and dreams
- Your legacy
Consider these two lists to understand what’s important to you. We use three Power Questions to help you come up with the best way to organize your money and your life so they fit together. (Not familiar with these questions? Let’s talk.)
Most often, we find that clients aren’t fixated on having a certain sum of money. What they want is more time, more experiences and less worry and uncertainty. They want a balance between life and money. Finding and creating that balance is the true purpose behind our business.
Max Osbon – mosbon@osboncapital.
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