In this our final post for the month on goal setting, we turn our attention to the topic of FOCUS and again draw on the simple, yet poignant wisdom of Carl Richards – the US-based Certified Financial Planner and highly acclaimed creator of the weekly Sketch Guy column in the New York Times (www.behaviorgap.com).

According to Carl, focus is one of those sketches about investing and money that just speaks to the bigger idea that there is so much we don’t control in life, whereas the things we can control and the things that actually matter, do deserve our full attention.

Unfortunately, we often see people doing the exact opposite. They get distracted by things they can’t control (like the stock market) and waste time on things that don’t matter. The result? Disappointment and frustration.

For many of us, money is typically a means to an end. As most of our clients over the years have come to realise, and value, the Adviser fp philosophy with regards financial planning is about more than just building a pile of money. The approach we take is to build a plan that is unique to each client and their dreams and then take on the role as “financial coach” to ensure each client has the necessary motivation, discipline and processes in place to achieve those goals.

There is something very powerful and rewarding in setting, achieving and then re-setting personal, financial and lifestyle goals every few years but for most, it does take the assistance of a qualified and experienced partner to ensure that you remain on track and do not get distracted. That’s where Adviser fp can help you focus on the things you can both control and that matter.

So as we begin 2015 ask yourself, what will you choose to focus on this year?