“Indecision may or may not be my problem.” Jimmy Buffett (American Singer-Songwriter)
On average, the human brain makes an estimated 35,000 decisions each day. Many are subconscious, but most are conscious, meaning you actually take the time to think about the thing that is before you. For example, researchers have found that while driving a car, you make between 50 to 100 decisions per mile! Our summer vacation took us to a beautiful area of Kentucky this year. A quick Google map search says I drove 600+ miles round trip. That’s a whole lot of decisions!
Yet, when all is said and done, I’m convinced that we’re often only 1 or 2 decisions away from a breakthrough. A dear friend of mine in his college years went to the party area of Florida for spring break. A random car drove up and invited him to come inside to continue the party. Even though his judgement was impaired, he said no. That ‘no’ likely saved his life, and his future.
25 years ago I decided to say “I do” to the love of my life. Having a companion and best friend to navigate life and challenges with has proven to be the best decision I’ve ever made. Our family of 5 makes life more fulfilling and purposeful and we love seeing growth on our journey.
22 years ago, I decided to partner up with my good friend, Adam Zuercher, and start a wealth management firm in Findlay, Ohio. Only 25 years old at the time, we didn’t think it’d be that hard to convince people to invest their hard-earned money with us. We discovered soon enough that our youth was our disadvantage as we didn’t have the ‘experience’ that older financial advisors had. We decided to turn that obstacle into an opportunity, and we framed it that while your advisor was old and close to retirement themselves, we were young and hungry to be your advisor for the long term. We were young enough to see you through your late working years into your retirement. It worked, and our firm began to grow.
13 years ago, my mom decided to take her life after a downward spiral of anxiety and depression gripped her mental health after retirement. Being a financial advisor, I was one of her advisors that encouraged her to retire, the very thing that led to her death. Feeling an immense amount of guilt and shame, I could’ve let her story to define me, to ruin me. Rather, I chose (made a decision) to turn that tragedy into triumph and that stumbling block into a stepping stone. In 2021, I released a book (Retirement Stepping Stones) outlining my learnings from that experience. Our firm now has a coaching program designed to help retirees deal with the non-financial aspects of retirement. We help them continue a life of meaning beyond retirement, and help them make their future bigger than their past.
The fact that God created our human brain able to process 35,000 decisions per day astounds me. And, the fact that we’re only a few decisions away from a breakthrough encourages me.
What about you?
Can you point to key decisions you’ve made that have allowed you to live a life of meaning and abundance?
What indecision are you struggling with that’s preventing your breakthrough?
My advice, do the next right thing. What if you just don’t know? Well, do the next right thing.
Step forward.
Make progress.
Do something.
Don’t get stuck in indecision.
Decide boldly to become the person you’re meant to be.
And live with purpose today.
