A Planner’s Diary in June
June’s Theme: Preparation 🤝 Patience
Last month, I ran the La Jolla Half Marathon. The pros? Beautiful coastal views and perfect weather. Another pro: we got to run some monster hills.
If you’ve spent time in La Jolla, chances are you’re familiar with the climb through Torrey Pines. The hill hits around mile 5 of the half marathon, after you’ve already tackled two climbs to start. The Torrey Pines hill itself stretches about 1.5 miles, followed by rolling hills for several more miles before a long downhill section… and then, one final uphill climb at mile 12.
Why do I share all these details about a road race?
Because when that final hill hit, I watched so many runners around me slow down or begin walking altogether. We were so close to the finish. Just 1.1 miles left. So why walk now? Maybe because the unknown —how long this will hurt? and how steep will it get? —can be extremely painful.
How many of these racers would have approached that final hill differently if they had known it was only a few more minutes of climbing before a triumphant downhill finish? Would they have paced themselves differently earlier in the race? Would they have trusted themselves more in the moment?
This is where preparation and patience become a powerful combination.
When we understand the roadmap in front of us, we gain confidence to keep moving forward, even when the discomfort feels insurmountable, and even when unexpected things arise… like a side cramp that lasts for three miles.
The same principles apply to major life transitions, especially ones where the finish line feels impossible to see but with thoughtful preparation and patience, a path becomes navigable.
Creating a truly comprehensive financial plan is about far more than choosing an allocation between stocks and bonds. It goes beyond projecting income and expenses to understand how today's decisions may shape tomorrow's outcomes. It involves ensuring your estate plan reflects your wishes, protecting your ability to earn an income if life takes an unexpected turn, providing for loved ones who depend on you, and thoughtfully evaluating the tax consequences of major financial decisions, all in the pursuit of greater goals and a live well lived.
When done right, planning is not a collection of isolated recommendations, but a framework for making confident decisions across every area of life. When we lean into a dedicated approach, and put in the money miles, we are ready when life hands over the equivalent of a nasty hill on mile 12.
We trust that we can keep on climbing.
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Now, onto a bit of fun.
In audiobooks- I recently finished listening to Morgan Housel's The Art of Spending Money. The takeaway? Money is most powerful when it helps us become more authentically ourselves, and the challenge is not in learning how to spend less but in learning what is worth spending on in the first place in pursuit of true enrichment.
In sport- On May 28th, mountaineer and ultra-runner Tyler Andrews reached the summit of Mount Everest in under 10 hours, breaking the speed record on his seventh attempt after six failed expeditions. What strikes me most here is Andrews’ willingness to keep showing up after repeated setbacks in such a high-stakes environment.
Whether in sport, business, relationships, or finances, perhaps success belongs not to those who avoid failure, but to those who can embrace it, learn from it, and keep showing up anyway.
Until next time,
Claire
This material is intended for educational purposes only. You should always consult a financial, tax, or legal professional familiar with your unique circumstances before making any financial decisions. Nothing in this material constitutes a solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Any mentioned rates of return are historical or hypothetical in nature and are not a guarantee of future returns. Past performance does not guarantee future performance. Future returns may be lower or higher. Investments involve risk. Investment values will fluctuate with market conditions, and security positions, when sold, may be worth less or more than their original cost. Advisory Services offered through Avise Financial Cooperative Inc, a Registered Investment Adviser with the SEC. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
