One of the things I love the most about Planet Earth is the changing seasons. Even the seasons I don’t like as much (for me, that’s winter), I still embrace the change and the new seasonal rituals and traditions with open arms.
But, I think the changing seasons are a great reflections to some of the important principles of growing your wealth. Here’s two reasons why.
Just like the seasons come and go every year, so does change in your financial life.
Barring climate change, the seasonal changes are something you can count on each and every few months – you can’t avoid them. Change just happens. And as you flow along in life, things change too: you might get married, buy a house, have children, move to a new city, get a new job, start a new business, get divorced, sell a house, move again, get another new job… things are always happening in your life. Even a small change can adjust your trajectory over the long term.
So, just like you can’t avoid the changing seasons, you can’t avoid change, so just accept it. Embrace it. Enjoy it – enjoy all of those new things coming into your life, and enjoy the process of watching your investments grow and change as well to match your needs.
Make time regularly to reflect – the seasonal change is a perfect time to do that.
When we make changes in our life, so much can happen at once that it’s hard to find the time to sit down and think about the long term financial aspects – but it’s crucial to do so. Always be checking in to ensure you’re still making smart choices for your long-term financial future; having a regular finance date is the perfect way to do this (and checking in quarterly is perfect).
When seasons change, it’s a great time to reflect on your investing choices, review your goals, check your progress since so much momentum is in the air with change – your closet is changing with seasonal choices, your menu planning may shift, and your social calendar might be shifting too. As you shift into a new place, take stock to ensure your financial choices are still leading you towards your dreams and goals.
And don’t forget to celebrate your successes as the seasons change – did you have a fulfilled summer? Did you host the most amazing winter holiday party? Is your garden overflowing? Acknowledge it and celebrate it with gratitude – and the same applies for your finance goals. I’ve you been sticking to your plan and meeting your savings goals, then congratulate yourself!