Harnessing the Power of Long-Term Thinking While Living for Immediate Happiness

Introduction

In today's world, where self-help gurus and mindfulness apps constantly urge us to focus on the present or the Power of Now[i], it is easy to overlook the importance of planning for the future. At Members’ Wealth, we believe in a balanced approach that allows you to enjoy the moment while we plan, implement, and execute for your financial future. This philosophy is encapsulated in a quote I came up with during a now long-ago memorable hiking trip with my college roommate: "Learn from the past, plan for the future, but live for the moment."

The Challenge of Long-Term Planning

Long-term financial planning is not typically associated with living in the moment. These strategies involve making decisions today that will impact your financial security decades down the line. For many, the thought of planning at all, let alone 30 to 60 years into the future can be overwhelming and even daunting.

Embrace the Present, Prepare for the Future

However, ignoring the future is not the solution. Instead, at Members’ Wealth, we suggest a different approach: outsource your long-term planning to a team that can manage it for you. This allows you to free up mental space and energy to fully engage with and enjoy the present.

How Outsourcing Planning Benefits You

1. Enhanced Strategic Decision-Making: Outsourcing your long-term financial planning allows you to leverage the team at Members’ Wealth to seek to make both informed and strategic critical decisions to grow your investment portfolio.
2. Mental Clarity and Focus: By delegating future planning, you can preserve your mental space, allowing you to concentrate on your passions and present activities without the distraction of complex financial worries.
3. Future Security: With a professional team managing your long-term financial needs, you position yourself to more likely achieve stability, security, and an enduring financial future.
4. Adaptive Planning: As professional planners we can evolve your strategies based on changing market conditions and personal circumstances, ensuring that your financial plan remains robust and responsive over time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while living for the moment is vital, neglecting the future can lead to missed opportunities and potential financial distress. Members’ Wealth is here to provide the balance you need. By letting us implement and execute today’s decisions that impact long-term financial planning, you can enjoy today's moments fully and without worry. After all, as I learned on that hiking trip, while it's important to learn from the past and plan for the future, the true art of living is to live for the moment. At Members’ Wealth, we seek to make it possible for you to do just that.

[i] "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle is a spiritual self-help guide that teaches readers how to live in the present moment and avoid dwelling on the past or future. The book argues that psychological pain is largely caused by our resistance to living in the present and that a great deal of human suffering is self-created.

Here are some of the key points from the book:

1. Living in the Now: Tolle emphasizes the importance of being aware of the present moment. According to him, the present is all we ever have, making it vital to focus on the now instead of getting lost in worries about the past or future.
2. Mindfulness and Consciousness: The book stresses mindfulness and encourages readers to cultivate a heightened state of awareness. Tolle suggests that this can be achieved by observing one’s thoughts and emotions without judgment, thus separating one’s identity from them.
3. Ego and Identity: Tolle argues that much of our inner turmoil comes from our identification with our ego, which is our false self-created by unconscious identification with the mind and memories. He offers insights into how to recognize and separate from the ego.
4. Pain and Suffering: "The Power of Now" explores the concept of pain as a mental and emotional phenomenon, suggesting that many of our problems stem from identifying too closely with our pain. Tolle discusses how to step back and observe pain as a signal rather than an intrinsic part of oneself.
5. Spiritual Enlightenment: Tolle presents the idea that true spiritual enlightenment comes from transcending our thoughts and emotions and connecting with the deeper self. The state of 'Being' that he describes is achieved when individuals fully accept the present moment.
6. Practical Exercises: Throughout the book, Tolle includes exercises and practices to help readers learn how to remain in the present, including meditation and simple mindfulness practices.

"The Power of Now" has been influential in the field of spirituality and personal growth, encouraging countless readers to seek fulfillment and peace in the immediacy of their lives rather than external circumstances.

About the Author – Dane Czaplicki, CFA®

Dane Czaplicki is CEO of Members’ Wealth, a boutique wealth management firm that offers a comprehensive approach to serving individuals, families, business owners, and institutions. The firm’s goal is to preserve and grow its clients’ wealth to endure over time, while thoughtfully evolving its strategy to suit an ever-changing world. With over 20 years of wealth management experience, Dane and the Members' Wealth team thrive on bringing clarity and confidence to clients' unique situations. He believes everyone needs sound financial advice from someone whose interests are aligned with theirs, and is determined to put service before all else.

Dane received his MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and his bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University. Outside work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, hiking and camping, reading, running, and playing with his dog. To learn more about Dane, connect with him on LinkedIn.

To get in touch with the Members’ Wealth team today, I invite you to email info@memberswealthllc.com or call (267) 367-5453. 

You can learn more about how we serve our clients by tapping the button below.

Investment advisory services are offered through Members’ Wealth, LLC., a Registered Investment Advisory Firm.

Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training. We are an independent advisory firm helping individuals achieve their financial needs and goals

Members’ Wealth does not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisors before taking any action that may have tax consequences.

This commentary reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints and analyses of the Members’ Wealth, LLC employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by Members’ Wealth, LLC or performance returns of any Members’ Wealth, LLC client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice. Nothing in this commentary constitutes investment advice, performance data or any recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Members’ Wealth, LLC manages its clients’ accounts using a variety of investment techniques and strategies, which are not necessarily discussed in the commentary. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results

Copyright © 2023 Members' Wealth LLC