Defining Your Objectives
For many people objectives and goals are very hard to define. We start with a broad view outlook. What do you want life to look like in 1 year, 5 years, or 10 years? What age would you ideally like to work because you want to and not because you have to? What are you own expectations for how much you can live on in retirement without running out of money?
We then begin to assess the likelihood of accomplishing those parameters given your current situation, how much you are saving, how much time you have, and what your portfolio can reasonably produce.
This “moment of truth” situation is one of our favorites as your financial advisor. So many times, we are able to deliver news to individuals and couples that they are well on their way to accomplishing their goals and that their years of hard work and sacrifice are all going to be worth it! Other times, we have to work with clients to reasonably adjust their expectations in order to become more realistic.
Regardless, after this step, when goals are defined and expectations set, there is hope for the future as we begin to discuss action steps.
“If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.” - Yogi Berra