We live at full speed much of the time.
We are moving along while working on today’s tasks, focusing on getting things done, all while looking to streamline or optimize our efforts.
Is that just me, or are you one of those logical people? Yes, of course, you are continuously learning and working to better and improve your life. If not, you wouldn’t be reading random-guy thoughts on the web. You would probably be chilling and hanging out.
If we get into the zone we focus (not overly) but quite naturally on a task, or called deep-work mode where you are zeroed in on your task (and possibly loving it) and the world outside that task becomes a blur.
Sometimes I think I should zoom out and take a higher-level view.
Financial Assets
Zoom out of viewing the investment markets. When I check on my accounts or investments it usually shows me what is happening today on a significantly compressed chart with huge volatility. This movement often is a tiny part of a percent.
I don’t even think a 30-day history view helps me with any valuable thought process.
I feel looking at the 3-month history, looking at a one-year history, and looking at the 5-year history is more descriptive of my past. If I want to see how things are going in the “current era,” I compare my investments and net worth totals BC. Before Covid.
Life
Now, here’s where I’m really trying to get a grasp on my Zoom Out concept. I’m trying to get out of the “what things am I working on right now, my multitasking items, and my adding to my ToDo/don’t forget list.
If I stop and step away from the task I’m doing and zoom out and look at the larger picture, I can think “What should I be doing–working on?” “What do I want to be doing right now?” “What are the most valuable actions I can take right now?”
“Valuable” actions can be determined in so many ways. They can be goal-oriented, enjoyment oriented, helpful-oriented, etc.
As I type this, I realize this sounds like some random logic you can read anywhere about productivity. Make a list, sort the list, remove lower items, and do the top items. Yes, that makes sense. Do we all do that? I mean, do we really do that, frequently?
Goals…Values?
How do we make sure we put our energy into the things that matter to us? I’m asking this. I’m asking myself this.
I now wonder if I take action from my blog posts and thinking through my keyboard. I think yes. I think much of my thoughts are based in the past, but some of those past thoughts do steer my future actions.
I’m getting more and more interested in the saying “if you want to see your values, look at where you spend your money.” Some people will say “spend your time” but I think in FIRE money is very (maybe very, very) different than time.
Maybe this money vs time difference is different when you’re younger in your 40s or 50s. I’m sure, or I’d hope that this isn’t something you realize in your 70s or 80s.
While it’s never too late to change or improve, it may get harder both physically and mentally.
Allocating
I’m quite deliberate with my Playcheck. It is unexpected money I’ve earned on the side and I make sure I spend it on Health, Fitness, FIRE Lifestyle and Technology.
Those are far-reaching categories, especially “FIRE lifestyle.” However, they are nowhere near our standard or typical household living type expenses. They are above and beyond MDF, BGL, Fun Bucket or even FI Bucket.
ZOOM OUT
So, I’m trying to be more conscientious of stopping a less specific effort of mine and zooming out to see if there is something more “valuable” for me to be doing. Saying that multiple times in this thought/post is supposed to help me.
Here’s the total irony of this post: I was downloading 1099s to gather data for our tax preparation. It made me think about the market down turn the past couple of weeks. I then logged in and checked out our investment aggregation totals and our net worth shifted down over the past couple of weeks. OK?
I then zoomed out on the chart timeline to see how we’re still up over the longer time periods. We’re only “down” from the all-time highs. Is that not always the case? Isn’t that where most people calculate their portfolio value change from the ALL-TIME-HIGH?!!
Zooming out things look GREAT. (for now?)
Then I thought about activities for the day because it’s my run day and I need to plan for an hour or effort. I then thought about other things I need to do today. Then I thought about things I want to do today. Then I thought, I should document these thoughts and then I got off track from tax preparation.
That’s my “random thoughts in FIRE” life.
Yeah, I know I’m strange.
*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice. This post is not a piece of literary mastery, just a random thought I had.