Growth is Painful, Also Totally Worth It
Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.
Mandy Hale
I’ve spent about 25 years in the financial industry. Many of those years were spent working at or for large financial institutions in the Northeast. I’m so thankful for that period where I was to learn from smart people, travel to many locations for the first time, and make contacts who have become lifelong friends.
And I also learned a great deal about who I was, what I think I have to offer others, and where I’m called to spend my time and efforts.
The unfortunate reality about the financial industry, in my experience, is that there are too many people that feel locked into a particular firm or role or venture. And it’s not because they are super passionate about what they’re doing, but rather because they feel they’re unable to leave.
Earlier today, I worked with students from Babson College who did a fantastic job presenting their analysis on seasonal tendencies and sector rotation. Students will often ask me about roles and opportunities in the financial industry and I always respond with some version of this:
Think big about where you want to go in life, but don’t confuse wealth with success. There will always be someone with more than you, and that’s ok. Great Grandpa Keller once said, “The more you make, the more you spend.” There is no dollar amount that will make you feel fulfilled. Find fulfillment elsewhere.
Whether you’re just getting started in the financial industry, or you’re in the process of building out your wealth management practice, or you’re retired and thrilled to be spending time actively managing your portfolios, it’s literally never too late to make some positive changes!
Whether it’s upgrading your analytical routines, being thoughtful about how you consume financial media, or just spending time reflecting on your experiences in recent months, there are always opportunities to improve how we spend our time as investors.
If you’re looking for some ideas on how to upgrade your investment process, try our Recommended Reading List which is full of books I’ve read covering technical analysis, trend following, behavioral finance, personal growth, and much more.
In the words of Joseph Addison, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
Mindless investors don’t make time to read, don’t make the effort to grow, and struggle to avoid bad habits.
Mindful investors make the time to read, put forth the effort to make positive changes, and find new ways to develop good habits.
RR#6,
Dave
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