I recently read about Vince Young’s Bankruptcy Filing “From 25.7 million guaranteed to Chapter 11”. Like most people, it amazes me every time I see something like this. At the other end of the spectrum, I am fortunate to have a good number of clients who have achieved great financial success quietly and well below the radar.
What’s the difference? I think there are several factors, but the key reason for success or failure in the personal financial realm has to do with values. Personal financial success is achieved by continually and habitually denying instant gratification for a greater purpose. Strong values are built on solid reasoning and a desire to achieve things beyond our own selfish wants. Over time; our values change our daily actions which then help determine our destiny. Gifts and talents play a distant second to daily habits in achieving long term success.
Everyone’s values change over time. Each of our own unique life experiences give us the opportunity to build stronger values. Vince Young is experiencing an opportunity for value re-alignment right now!
Many of us have experienced the pain of having to pay for shallow short-sighted living. The good news is it’s NEVER too late to re-establish our values and develop better habits. We have the opportunity in this life to learn and continually improve. I am amazed at the strong values I see in so many of my clients and am grateful for the example they provide for all of us. It’s too bad their success is not as newsworthy as Vince’s financial failure.
Robert R. Schulz, CFP®
by Rob Schulz