My irrigation Dude is probably not a happy-camper with me right now. What I thought would be a simple visit with minor adjustments, turned into an hour and a half project that still isn’t finished. Sometimes people ask us why we ask for so much information for our visits, aren’t we just wealth advisors? The real answer: Yes, yet No.
Let me explain the No. Yes, we do manage money, but No, because there’s so much more that goes into planning and accumulating wealth for your future than just money. People are sometimes fixated on one aspect of planning for their future. Just like how I was focused on just one area of grass here at the Financialoscopy team’s office. I thought something just needed to be re-adjusted because the head that was supposed to water that area just wasn’t hitting the spot. So instead of leaving our lawn green, it was slowly allowing the grass to burn and burn during a period of time that we haven’t gotten much rain, it’s been hot, and since it’s part of a water retention pond, it’s nothing but sand underneath that doesn’t hold moisture to begin with.
We made an appointment with my irrigation dudes, and I thought this should be very easy and quick. The irrigation system guy asked if that was the only problem. I told him that since he’s here, he might as well look at everything to make sure it’s working properly. I went back to work, and let the professionals do their job. I went through an appointment. I went through part of a lunch and then an hour and a half later, I left the office building to go outside, and I saw the van for the irrigation company was still in the parking lot. One of the gentlemen came up from the basement with a look of exasperation on his face. I made a comment to him about how this was taking longer than I thought and was surprised he was still here. He didn’t even reply. I could see that he had bit off more than he was planning to today. While looking around, he found a bunch of hidden problems. Isn’t that the case with money and our financial lives too. I thought it was just one little fix because that’s what I had been focused on and what I could see above ground.
While looking around, he discovered there were 6 heads that needed replacement along the boulevard, and he had to dig up those areas. Of course, he doesn’t have all those sprinkler heads with him and needed to get supplies and come back another time.
Here’s the lesson that I want to leave you with; you will sometimes get fixated on one area of your financial life, but you’re not looking at all the other components that are there, components that can affect the whole system.
Just like how I was fixated on this one area of grass that was burning up, I didn’t see what was going on under the surface. It also took my attention away from other areas that I thought were maybe a little brown, but I did not realize that I had six watering heads that were out and other problems. That’s why I call on a professional who knows what they’re doing to make certain that everything is working at 100% and not halfway.
Are you an expert in water irrigation? I’m not. Are you an expert in accumulation of assets, asset income protection, and asset income in retirement? We are. Are you looking at the big picture and wondering if you should hire a professional? Yes, the professional might be exasperated at what they find under the surface. Hopefully, they won’t show it on their face since they’re the professionals. Allow them to do their job because when the grass is burned out, it might be too late in the season to re-seed. Likewise, in retirement, if you run out of money, it might be too late to look for a new job to make up that difference. If this conversation intrigues you, then perhaps it’s time to schedule your Financialoscopy®.
