It's the Climb

If you know me, I’m not one for sitting still. I have to do something or I go insane. As my

grandma would say, “Idle hands are the devil’s dirty work.” And that Catholic guilt has

always stuck with me. 

Last week, I was in San Mateo, California for a Wealth Management conference on

retirement and tax planning. When the conference wrapped up, I did what I always do

when traveling, I went for a run.

One of my favorite traditions since my wife and I got married is running in new places

whenever I travel. From the steep cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, to the mountains of Pagosa

Springs, Colorado, to a memorable run with my best friend Eric along the Cliffs of Dover

in England it’s become a way for me to ground myself and explore while staying in

motion.

San Mateo was no different. I found a trail system near the hotel called Sugarloaf

Mountain and decided to run up the 700-foot hill overlooking the bay area. Somewhere

along the climb, a thought hit me: my life feels a lot like the Miley Cyrus song, “It’s the

climb.” And the parallels to wealth management and investing became clear.

Some days on a trail run, everything clicks. You feel strong, the rhythm is there, and you

could go for miles and miles on a runners high. Other days, you make a wrong turn

downhill trying to take a shortcut, burn energy backtracking (I nearly ended up in

someone’s backyard this time because of this, haha), or you simply don’t want to run at

all.

Investing is much the same. There are bull markets where it feels like you can’t lose.

There are downturns where the dollars seem to start to disappear. And then there’s the

curse of tomorrow, “I’ll start investing when I have [insert excuse here].”

For me, having something to look forward to makes the difference. Whether it’s a

Spartan 10k trail race, a half marathon, or the sprint triathlon I’m tackling next weekend,

putting a goal on the calendar creates urgency and accountability.

It’s the same with financial planning. When you set clear goals and outline the steps, the

journey ahead becomes purposeful, rewarding, and holds you accountable.

As one saying goes, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

So, whether it’s a trip on the horizon, a major purchase, or simply the marathon of life, I

wish you smooth trails ahead. Because in the end, it’s not just the destination, it’s the

climb and the moments along the way that make the journey so worthwhile.