As a family who loves the bush, we’ve learned a thing or two about obstacles.
If you’ve spent any time in South Africa’s National Parks, you’ll know that coming across a breeding herd of elephant is unforgettable, if not a little intimidating.
Sometimes the herd is relaxed. Other times, they’re unsettled and even a bit hostile.
You never know what the car before you did. Maybe they revved an engine or edged too close and annoyed some protective mom’s.
There is no doubt that if an elephant wanted to cause us harm it certainly could.
Within our own vehicle, the reactions vary wildly. Feelings range from excitement to fear of imminent death.
Our usual approach is simple. Stop the car at a safe distance. Turn off the engine. And let the elephants decide how comfortable they are with us.
More often than not, the Matriarch settles on an invisible boundary. The rest of herd relaxes, ignore us and allows us to share in something very special.
We have learned this through experience and so far we have avoided any incidents.
Obstacles exist in our financial lives too.
Sometimes it’s the uncertainty of how we could do more.
Other times it’s doubts over whether our plan will get us where we need to go.
And lately, it’s the erratic behaviour of our investments, that can feel like a breeding herd of elephant strewn across our path.
As in the bush, having a plan can help.
It helps to:
- Understand what outcomes are likely, not just possible.
- Be clear on what reasonable events look like—even if it’s uncomfortable.
- Know when to sit still, and when it’s time to reverse or change course.
- Act early, if you need to act. Avoid acting in panic in the heat of the moment.
- Have alternate scenarios built into your plan.
- Know your own risk tolerance and how much uncertainty you can handle ahead of the event.
Obstacles don’t always require drastic action.
Often, patience, understanding, and a steady approach gets you through safely.
But it is rarely that obvious in real time, within a breeding herd of elephant or a market sell-off, which course of action is best.
So clarity and confidence in your well structured plan, understanding what is reasonable to expect market-wise and having a mindset that can handle the uncertainty are excellent mitigators.
Without those you can land up chopping and changing, finding new obstacles at every turn and never making any real progress.
#orderpurposeprogress
If you have any questions about the above or would like to explore if we are a fit and how I can help support you in managing your financial life please get hold of me:
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