Planning for the future is crucial in your financial journey, but enjoying the present is just as important. Let me share a story and the lessons we can learn about balancing future financial goals with living life now.

 

One of my clients had a dream of buying a yacht and spending his retirement sailing. For a few years, he saved and planned. We would revisit this plan from time to time and make sure he was on track to meet his goals. Until one day, I asked him if he did any sailing while on vacation. He admitted to me that he had never actually been sailing; he just really liked the idea of it. Fast forward to the day when he finally tried sailing, he realized he hated it.

He had spent so long working towards a goal that, as it turns out, didn’t bring him joy. The thing about this client is that I made him up. But he is not completely fictitious. I have worked with a number of clients over the years who have made this mistake—planning around an activity or a place that, in their minds, will make them happy, without actually visiting the place or trying the activity.

 

I know that when I lay it out this way, it seems unbelievable. But there are a lot of stories we tell ourselves to make sense of our world that may have been important at one time but no longer work for us. So before we pass judgment on my fictitious client, let's look at this situation with compassion and learn from it.

 

In my ten-year career of working with clients, I’ve learned that while planning for the future is important, it’s equally important to live in the present. If my fictitious client had tried sailing earlier, he would have discovered much sooner that it wasn’t for him, saving time and mental load.

Now, when I encounter a client with a similar dream, I recommend a few things:

Test Your Dreams

Whether it’s sailing, traveling, or another dream, try it on a smaller scale first.

Diversify Hobbies

Explore various interests to find what truly brings you joy. From experience, it can take years to cultivate a hobby and get truly comfortable with it and the people who enjoy it with you.

Focus on Experiences

Sometimes, experiences can be more fulfilling than material possessions. Focus on creating memories and learning to enjoy the experience to the fullest. I find Brené Brown’s thoughts on foreboding joy especially insightful here.

Find Your Community

Before planning to move to a new destination, connect with like-minded people online. In a way, we are very lucky to live in such a connected digital age. It’s now easier than ever to connect to a whole community on the other side of the world or a province. Use this advantage.

 

Enjoying the present doesn’t mean neglecting your future plans. Besides long-term plans, set short-term goals that bring you joy. In my financial planning conversations, I always bring up short-term goals. Even if they are within your annual budget already, I find it’s important to incorporate the little things that bring your personality and a sense of wonder into the plan. A reminder that we are not neglecting to live now.

 

If you don’t have a plan or want to talk about your retirement goals, I’m here to help. Let’s work together to create a balanced plan that ensures a fulfilling present and a secure future. Contact me today to get started.