All Things Financial Planning Blog

Have you ever considered football as a metaphor for life? Over life stages or quarters, players with different jobs and strengths work together, and share moments of pain and glory. Why? To triumph over adversity and “win”. To win at life or football takes gut-busting hard work at each stage of the game. But the pressure to win is volcanic when you fall behind and are running out of time. Take the team that’s out of time-outs, down by 6, with only five seconds left on the clock. The prospect of a last minute turnaround may be good for fans and TV ratings, but is a heart-stopper for players, coaches and owners who have the most to lose if the “Hail Mary” pass doesn’t work.

If you can relate to the Baby Boomers who are behind on retirement plans, now is not the time to quit. Instead, turn your game around by digging deeper into your wallet and your mindset. Tim Tebow reminds us how: The strength to triumph over tough situations comes down to stubborn optimism (that is, belief in yourself and maybe a higher power), the composure to think clearly and perform, and true grit.

Move towards your long term financial goals with these tips from Tebow’s playbook:

1. Define success your way.  
   “Success comes in a lot of ways, but it doesn’t come with money and it doesn’t come with fame. It comes from having a meaning in your life, doing what you love and being passionate about what you do. That’s having a life of success. When you have the ability to do what you love, love what you do and have the ability to impact people…That’s having a life of success. That’s what having a life of meaning is.” – Tim Tebow 

   Financial Lesson: Keep score based on what “winning” truly means to you, not anybody else. Rethink how much retirement income you really need to be happy.  

2. Use your talents and abilities fully.
   “Every time I step on the field, I’m going to give my whole heart regardless of the score.” - Tim Tebow 

   Financial Lesson: Give your job skills a regular workout and get in the game with all you’ve got. And guess what, you get to decide what is the “normal retirement age”, not the Social Security folks.             

3. Control what you can.
   “Something I learned early in college (is) to not worry about what I can’t control…But what I can control is my attitude, my effort, my focus every single day and that’s what I’m trying to worry about.” – Tim Tebow 

   Financial Lesson: Don’t get sidelined by what you can’t change. Get off the bench and tackle one thing everyday to be more financially secure. 

4. Expect challenges.
   ”You’re going to get knocked down but it’s how many times you get back up.” – Tim Tebow 

   Financial Lesson: Getting sacked is part of football and life. Work your defensive and offensive line to protect and strengthen your income, your health, your assets, your relationships. Trust your preparation and equipment to rebound from the inevitable blows.   

5. Don’t give up.  
   ”I’ve never quit anything I’ve decided to start…that’s how you succeed at achieving your dreams.” – Tim Tebow via Twitter 

   Financial Lesson: Don’t punt when you can run one more play. This life is your Super Bowl game. Play with no regrets.

Karin Maloney Stifler, CFP®, AIF®
President
True Wealth Advisors
Hudson, OH