I try to stress with clients that they will be far more successful in reaching their goals if they take a balanced approach to living , saving and building wealth as they move through life.

Here is a great story that helps put that advice into perspective. 

A professor stood before his philosophy class and when the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was…

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.

The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was…

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.

Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed…

‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things–your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions–and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your savings.

The sand is everything else–the small stuff.

 ‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

•  Spend time with your children.
•  Spend time with your parents.
•  Visit with grandparents.
•  Take time to get medical checkups.
•  Take your spouse out to dinner.
• Read a book and stimulate your imagination
• Put some money away for tomorrow and some for the long term
• Then play another 18…

There will always be time to clean the house and do the filing.

 Take care of the golf balls first—the things that really matter.

Set your priorities.

 The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.

The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’

 The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of beers with a friend.

CHEERS!

Are you looking for an advisor that will keep you up to date and provide guidance and tips like in this blog? then why now contact me at our Castle Hill or Windsor office in Northwest Sydney to arrange a one on one consultation. Just click the Schedule Now button up on the left to find the appointment options.

Liam Shorte B.Bus SSA™ AFP

 SMSF Specialist Advisor™ & Financial Planner

Tel: 02　8853 6833,  Mobile: 0413 936 299

liam@verante.com.au

PO Box 6002 BHBC, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

 Liam Shorte is a partner in VERANTE Financial Planning, Corporate Authorised Representative of Genesys Wealth Advisers Limited, Licence No 232686, Genesys Wealth Advisers Limited ABN 20 060 778 216 • AFSL No.232686

Important information :

The information in this article is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not take into consideration your personal circumstances. You are encouraged to seek financial advice suitable to your circumstances to avoid a decision that is not appropriate. Any reference to your actual circumstances is coincidental. Genesys and its representatives receive fees and brokerage from the provision of financial advice or placement of financial products.

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