We often hear of celebrating milestones: victories, championships, new beginnings, births, etc. But I generally don’t associate milestones with defeats, losses, deaths, and other unfortunate events. Listen to what Tim Fortner says:
“A ‘milestone’ comes from the use in olden times of having stones which told the traveler how many miles it was to the next city. They were a reference point which reassured the traveler they were on the right path. Milestones have also been used to describe significant events in one’s lives. In the Bible, especially, the Old Testament, we see a heap of stones to commemorate a significant event in the life of an individual or of the nation or people.
Joshua and the nation of Israel were experiencing some milestone events. Milestone events can be wonderful or they can appear as trouble, a loss, a setback. Certainly the defeat at Ai was especially troubling for Joshua and the nation of Israel.
With the Lord, a setback is a set up for a comeback. Now in order for this to be true, we must learn from our mistakes. We must learn the lesson the Lord would have us to learn, don’t we? Or else we are doomed to repeat them. And when we learn something, we can begin again, more intelligently. After what had happened at Ai, Joshua and the Israelites were discouraged. Let’s face it- discouragement over the past failure and fear of the future are two common reactions which accompany failure.”
Your Milestones
In light of Fortner’s words, how would you describe and document your milestones? Could you do it in the form of a story? I was challenged some thirteen years ago to document the “fence posts” in my life – the significant people, places and events that have most shaped me. If you had to list your ten most significant “fence posts”, who or what has shaped your life, for better or for worse, what do you think that would look like?
For me, this exercise was fascinating, eye-opening and sobering all together. Then came the harder challenge: sharing these fence posts (i.e. “milestones”) with others. But not just any others – safe, loving people whose undivided attention was listening to my story. Whew! I’m having to take a deep breath even now as I remember!
Financial Milestones
What are your financial milestones? First job, first house, first credit card, last credit card (better!), debt payoff, mortgage payoff (party!), retirement account balance, extravagant giving, etc.? The list could go on, but again, what are yours? We’ve discussed many times the importance of setting goals. You are far more likely to celebrate some financial milestones if you have a plan in place. Behavioral finance research (which we believe in and practice with clients) continues to show that having a plan in place alongside your goals gives you far more probability of achieving them.
Our Milestones
In August, Rivertree set a milestone of its own. We were thrilled to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Company! Wow, how the time flies! As often said (particularly about parenting), the days are long but the years are short.
We have many milestones here at Rivertree:
-Opening an independent shop in 2009 on the tail-end of the Great Recession
–Amy joining the team (and taking a leap of faith in a young Company) in 2010
–Jonathan joining the team in 2013
–Brent joining the team in 2015
–Phillip joining the team in 2016 and continuing in a consulting role after leaving in 2017
–Valerie joining the team in 2017
Fast forwarding to today, we oversee approximately $140 Million in client assets and service over 500 households. We’re amazed and humbled at these milestones. And, they would never have been possible without the trust and confidence of our clients. We are committed to continually earning our client’s business as we walk alongside them and celebrate their milestones. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you!
Now What?
Do you have the courage to document your milestones – the good, the bad, the ugly – that shaped you? Or better said – your personal story? If you do, I challenge you to share your story with a good friend. The outcome of this process may surprise you!
*For financial planning clients of Rivertree Financial Planning: Please contact us as soon as possible if you have had any changes in circumstances, objectives, goals or risk tolerance.