October 9, 2012

What if.......?

What if? These two words are used extensively in all disciplines.

E.g.:
What if interests rates continue to rise? How does that affect your portfolio?
What if another 10 percent of the population goes on welfare? What happens to the economy?
What if the wind velocity increases to 100 miles per hour? How would that affect the spanning bridge?
What if there is an outbreak of West Nile in Long Island? How long before it reaches New York City?

In our own lives, we may ask:
What if I lose my job today? How long will my savings last?
What if I save this much per month? What would my savings look like in 2 years?
What if I move home with my parents? How fast would my savings grow?
What if I skip work for one week?
What if I got really sick?

What if, are two powerful words that can help us make projections and assist us in our planning, decision making and execution of the plan. But how often does one use the "what if" scenarios?

Take, for example, work - our every day, must get up and go to work daily routine. No exceptions, unless you are born with a silver spoon in your mouth. The way things are, most of us expect to work 40 to 45 years or more before retirement.

But what if, someone comes along and present you with a part time 2 to 3 year plan towards early retirement? Would you consider working part time along side your 45 year plan? What would you do? Walk away, laugh at this ridiculous notion and think this person is nuts? Or would you at least investigate? What have you got to lose?

What if, you can actually retire in 2 to 3 years following the plan, doing something that requires not too much effort, spending 8 - 15 hours per week, with little start up cost? What would you have missed if you say bah hambug to this 2 -3 year plan? A life time of missed opportunities! Instead of retiring after working 40 to 45 years at age 65 when your body begins to deteriorate with aches and pains, you retire at your prime! You will have more time with your family, spend your time doing the things you really love, more time for community work helping others, or travel the world. Of course, there is effort involved - how much you are willing to invest your time and energy during these 2 to 3 years? But the efforts are very well worth it - for no one will be able to take away from you, your success, once you reach that goal!


No comments:

Post a Comment