Wisdom for Money, Wisdom for Life

I never saw it coming. Nope, not at all. Actually, I never saw a lot of what's transpired in our practice...

• I never thought people would have the wealth they have.

• I never thought that people would have such substantial spending capacity in retirement.

• And I never thought I'd see people whose lives are so financially wealthy, people who's financial lives are... "all buttoned up" yet... I've seen some of these lives fall apart anyway.

The quote at the header sure got my attention, and it ought to get yours. My industry has spent the last 50 years or so increasing our capacity to plan, model and invest for a sound financial future. But, if we leave it at that we risk missing the critical element. It needs a warning sign - like the one on a pack of cigarettes.

Wisdom for Money

All the money in the world cannot fix the harm that accompanies relational bankruptcy. Here's some highlights:

• The people who were most satisfied in their relationships at 50 were the healthiest at age 80.

• Lonely people die younger.

• Warmth or coldness in marriage predicts memory decline.¹

​

The Big Idea

You're familiar with the concept of investing. With little exception, we attach investing to money. We need to expand our vision to include relationships. What to do?

Throughout life, and in all of life, we need to invest...in relationships. Your life, and the quality of that life depend on it. It could be a daily discipline:

• Make a list of everyone in your sphere of influence.

• Pick one, two, three or more from the list.

• Call one - for coffee, lunch...you get it. Do it. Do it now.

• Find out if you can serve them somehow.

• Stay alert for such opportunities.

• Same as the shampoo bottle prescription - lather, rinse, repeat.

Your mind, your emotions, and your nervous system will thank you.

Happy to talk further about this.

Thanks for reading,

Tim O'Connor

¹Humans vs. Retirement, Dan Haylett, Accessed 6/8/26