This blog post about Your Money or Your Life by Mark Cancellieri at http://www.rationalwealth.net inspired me to write to Mark and he was kind enough to write back. Mark is a great writer and as his blog is new, you’ll probably get some of his best thoughts over the coming months. I don’t know Mark and have no reason to recommend him, except my belief that his thoughts will be worth reading.

In Mark’s email he asked about my references to Buffett. I hope to discuss Fusion Analysis and Investing more over the coming weeks and explain the watershed moment when I realised that labelling myself as a growth investor made little sense.

Right now I’d like to stay on topic and discuss your money or your life. I have not read the book, but I feel fortunate that at some point early in my life I internalised what appears to be one of the key messages in the book. From an early age I had the conviction I was not prepared to trade much time and energy for money. I am not sure what of value I can pass on to you, but I hope in the coming days and weeks that my recollections and reflections on my life so far will provide some insights. If you believe your time and happiness is important, then I hope I can help you have more of both.

It may seem bizarre that as a guy blogging about finance I am embarrassed talking about my accomplishments and financial success in life. I believe in modesty, I dislike displays of wealth and I abhor people bragging about their accomplishments. I hope I can share my experiences in a mater of fact way and more importantly as I’m writing this for readers, I hope you can take something meaningful away. I have not shared our successes with anyone, so what follows will be unrehearsed and perhaps raw.

Here goes, I say with great trepidation.
I have always considered knowledge the key to life and have never stopped learning. I read a lot and try to learn from everyone I interact with. On top of my favourite topics I have read numerous self help, motivational and personal finance books. I’ve encourage people I know to read books by Anthony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki, Richard Bach and many others. Each book I have read has given me so much in return that I am confused as to why others are so resistant to read them. I may discuss that another day.

Reading is definitely one of my keys to a successful and happy life. Interactions with friends and family and learning from others is another key. For me the third key has been thought. I think continuously. I used to feel I thought too much and often missed the moment. Fortunately I now have two kids and they insist on me being in the moment and enjoying it with them, the pleasure they give me is far greater than work or past vices ever did. I think it is sad that not many people take the time to enjoy and raise their children; even sadder is the reality that many people seem to have that choice anymore.

As I was saying I think all the time, I’m both introspective and forward focused. I like the big picture and I’m an optimist. I don’t think those attributes are essential, but at the minimum you need to know your attributes, what your really want, what is important to you. I posted some thoughts on life priorities here and will post specifically on that topic soon.

In summary you need to know yourself, what you want and your priorities. Or as my partner jokes, you at least need to hitch your wagon to someone who does. You need to seek knowledge, learn from others rather than just float along. Once you know yourself then you can find the best ways of working around your shortcomings. We are all imperfect, finding ways to work around or improve your shortcoming will not only improve your life it will give you a great sense of accomplishment.

Whether you believe life is a stage, a game or a river you’re floating on you are in control of your life. It is up to you to write your own script, to learn the rules and play hard or control your direction with oars.

I stopped working for a living at 36, six years before I had planned to. I am not an entrepreneur, I didn’t win the lottery. I simply knew what was important to me in life and devised a plan to make it happen. I hope to be able to tell you more in the coming weeks.

Cheers
Dean

As with everything I say, I describe what is right for me. It may not be right for you as there are many paths in life as there is in investing.