12/24/2022
Sports have long played an important role in society. They provide entertainment for those in the stands and watching from home, create community by bringing fans together around a love for the game, and teach life lessons about hard work and perseverance.
Sports also offer many lessons analogous to financial planning, so it seemed fitting to highlight these parallels given that the 2022 FIFA World Cup concluded earlier this week in what was arguably one of the most exciting finales in sports history. Argentina beat France in overtime with penalty kicks to end the once in four-year event that many believe is the world's biggest and most prestigious sporting event.
While the outcome of sporting events can sometimes seem like luck, there is always a long-term strategy and preparation behind winning teams. And the same approach teams take to winning championships can be used off the field to help individuals achieve their long-term financial goals. Just as every team is unique, so is every investor. In sports, managers and coaches set goals and then assemble the right team to achieve them, defining each player's role on the team. Similarly, developing goals for your financial future and implementing a plan to meet them is critical. This entails choosing an investment strategy and asset allocation mix customized to your investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon. A financial advisor can act as your financial "coach," helping you set goals and develop a long-term investment strategy that is reviewed regularly to ensure you're on the right track. Sports teams face inevitable challenges like injured players, inclement weather, and other factors that impact short-term results. Investment portfolios are also impacted by outside events that impact short-term results, so staying invested for the long-term generally yields the best results over time.
The team that plays consistently over the entire tournament and adapts to the challenges encountered on the field is most likely to emerge victorious. Similarly, the investor who develops a customized financial plan for the long term and stays the course will be well-positioned to achieve investment success.