Page 37 - The Informed Fed--Hearn (edited 10.29.20)

of your investments, looking for ways to trim the budget so you can put
more money in your plan.
Could you imagine a sports team that never kept score or never
checked the stopwatch? How would they know if they were winning or
losing? And would they even care about the outcome of the game? The
numbers are how we keep track of the score. Figures tell us how we must
face the facts.
There are two statements we like to use when it comes to
understanding and utilizing your federal benefits:
1) If you don’t measure, you don’t improve.
2) If you don’t commit now, you will fall behind.
Where am I now? Where do I want to be? What steps do I need to
take to improve? How much time am I willing to commit? These are
questions that can guide you as you move forward in the process of
maximizing your benefits. One of the hardest things to do when getting
started is forcing yourself to take a self-evaluation, or what I like to call
a financial check-up. A simple self-examination will give you a reality
check on your personal finances. Although this can be uncomfortable at
first, you will find that it pays great dividends down the road. Let’s face
it, most of us would rather avoid looking in the mirror. Gaining a better
understanding of your benefits and other financial issues will not require
that you make a career out of it. There is no required exam at the end of
this book, no continuing educational requirements or regulatory
compliance you must follow. This is not rocket science. We have seen
where a minor adjustment can make a huge difference and produce great
results.
We have found that even the slightest change in the way you present
a bait, maybe change the color, or the speed of retrieve (I know all you
hardcore bass anglers are getting this) can mean the difference between
catching one or two and filling out a limit. Little things can and do matter.
Most financial situations we are presented with require minor changes in
order to improve the game plan.

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