As you’re reading this, I’m in Las Vegas giving a talk to a conference for financial advisors and insurance agents. While I don’t love traveling without my family, and wouldn’t consider a trip to Vegas on my own dime, it’s fun to connect with others who share similar interests. And I sort of secretly enjoy public speaking, which either makes me nuts or a perfectly sane person who is a glutton for punishment.
I share all of this with you in order to offer a suggestion. I believe we’re all hard-wired to want to help and connect with others. I feel that connection when I’m on stage sharing my best ideas, and I’ll bet you feel it too, even if it’s not on a lighted stage. What I’m trying to say is: you have within you a lifetime of experiences and hard-won wisdom that others don’t yet possess. Will you consider creating an opportunity to pass on what you know to someone who may benefit from your experience?
Dave Bensch goes out of his way to seek out the wisdom of others, by buying coffee or lunch for someone wise, just to learn from them. I’ve always admired that trait in Dave and I sometimes try to emulate him by getting out of my comfort zone to do the same. But what if you did the opposite, and took somebody to lunch just to see how you can help them? What if you made it a priority to create an opportunity to lend a hand to someone without them having to ask you? Can you imagine how that would feel, for both you and the recipient?
From time-to-time, we all feel neglected and left to fight the battle on our own. The thought that someone would choose to extend a hand – without being asked – is so foreign that it can only be met with incredible gratitude. Will you give it a try?
I’ll share a quick example from my youth. My high school band director, Kathy McGrady, was, and still is, an amazing musician. Without me asking her, she extended an invitation to me (I was just a kid!) to sit in on drums with her band for a performance. She even paid me $75 for my effort. I was floored! At that time, $75 was a huge fee for a short gig, but more importantly, she made me believe that I was good enough to have earned it. Fast forward, and I’m still playing drums all these years later, even though it’s for a crowd of one, whichever daughter asks me to play along with her.
Sometimes impact is a cup of coffee and a listening ear, while at other times, it’s a musical gig or a speech in Las Vegas. Consider who you might impact in some small way and reach out to them today. It may change a life, and it may be yours that’s changed the most.
Next week, I’ll plan to share some of my Vegas experiences with you, even though that stuff is supposed to stay in Vegas, as the saying goes. Something tells me what I’ll be doing isn’t what they had in mind.
All the best,
Adam Cufr, RICP®
As you may be aware, we teach classes at BGSU at Levis Commons called Retirement Elevated.
These classes are designed to offer the current or aspiring retiree a serious education in retirement planning. This is a wonderful opportunity for you or your friends to access a lot of great material in a focused classroom educational setting.
During the two-evening class, we will go in-depth in the following planning topics:
- Retirement Income
- Investments
- Taxes
- Healthcare
- Estate Planning
Retirement Elevated classes are designed for people between the ages of 50 and 75 who seek to strengthen their understanding of retirement planning and all of its nuances.
CLASS DATES AND TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Tuesdays, September 22nd and 29th
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
-or-
Thursdays, September 24th and October 1st
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
If you or a friend would like to register, contact our office at (419) 931-0704
Class Fee: FREE!
Materials Fee: $49 (additional workbook $19)
If you’d like to see the complete course flyer, contact us and we’ll get you a copy.
