by Eldari Visser, Managing Director, Picketfence.Life
On our journey through life we meet an array of interesting people - some fascinating and others unique. We learn a great deal about ourselves on how we interact with these personalities. In our financial wealth world we often find that our behavior reflects some typical personality and behavioral patterns.
Let me explain by example on our safari trip.
First up, number 1 - the city girl all excited about the journey and eager to go. No research done and she pitches with the most inappropriate clothes and shoes, the expensive dark glasses, designer gear and a bag that no one will carry.
Number 2 - the guy that is fully geared up. His cargo pants have so many zips you get confused by looking at them. In each pocket can be found his own survival gear, from a torch, knife, hot blanket, compass and string. You can hear him coming a far way off. Halfway into the expedition these pockets become so heavy that he needs to zip the pants in two just to be able to finish. He then needs to travel in shorts stuffed with items.
Number 3 - the 'know it all' bush guru - he keeps on talking about everything that he can point out to you and doesn’t listen to the guide. He is usually in front and wants the whole group to hurry up.
Number 4 - the aunty with the big hat, happy sightseeing and taking in the beauty of nature. She takes her time, stops at every corner, and everybody needs to catch the hat every so often when it blows off.
Number 5 - the camera dude with equipment that leaves you breathless - not a lot of survival equipment or gear but the best cameras on the market. These are the same cameras that are usually in your face just when you spot an animal.
Number 6 - and lastly, the young chap who’s more into his phone and trying to find signal than paying attention to anything. Why he is even on the expedition is a mystery - although he says he wants to learn more.
So, what is this a reflection of? These types of personalities can be the typical “advisors “ in our money, financial and wealth growth times.
Or perhaps you find that you experience some stage of your financial cycle to be similar to one of these characters.
Let’s take a look and see if you can relate.
1. Keeping up with society, showing off your “wealth”. You spend and don’t really make an effort to learn and understand how money works. Your money, shoes and outfits are costing you instead of building wealth.
2. You buy everything that is offered to you, policies, insurance, funeral plans, stokvels, personal loans, credit cards, home loans, and you carry a heavy burden that you cannot sustain. Slowly you get rid of the most important parts, ending up being exposed to the elements.
3. You know it all - you are the DIY person and you think you are actually winning and telling all your friends exactly how to do it. Maybe you miss the small important factors because you don’t need the guide?
4. Are you the slow to react, thinking and over-thinking the next financial move person? When disaster strikes you need a friend or family member to help you get back on your feet? You took too long to make that good decision.
5. You have great products - good financial wealth building equipment but it’s not appropriate for your specific needs. These products are nice to have but you carry heavy on them. In the end you have nothing when the real product you actually needed was never in your portfolio.
6. You are just not that interested. Life is good. Google is there, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and you wait for later? Till you end up trying to play catch-up whilst the world is already there.
Carefully consider these analogies. Be honest with yourself and make the right decision today. Be the best informed world traveler that can afford their dreams because you were willing to ask, learn, and trust the right guide.
Till next time.
Eldari Visser and her unique company, Picketfence Life, is providing access to information, advice and a powerful network of experts to help consumers find solutions to various serious issues. The company focuses mostly on easy blogs written by financial coaches, lawyers, accountants and tax practitioners, life and business coaches, and even psychologists. It gives practical tips and help and is the expert on your side of the fence. --- You can reach Eldari at www.picketfence.life or www.askgerald.com
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