Opinion – Grain in Grain: What do financial independence and fitness have in common?

Financial independence and fitness are two goals pursued by most individuals that have some similarities. I comment on four characteristics that justify how the two are intertwined and what you need to do to achieve them.

This afternoon, here at the office, we were discussing some aspects related to the journey to financial independence.

At a certain point in the discussion, Paula Pandini, one of the partners, commented: “look at how this happens in the same way for those who want to get in shape”.

Indeed, but it is not in just one aspect that the two objectives are similar. There are at least four characteristics common to these two goals. I list these four main similarities:

I – In the quest for financial independence and fitness, you will find a series of crazy formulas, but the simple is what works;

II – Both financial independence and fitness are goals dreamed of by most, but few are willing to pay the price to achieve it;

III – Both are long-term goals, which will require discipline and consistency to achieve;

IV – Most give up halfway through, because they don’t see results as quickly as they would like.

How many times have you not been attracted to an advertisement, which advertised a shortcut to get you into good shape faster and with less effort or become a millionaire?

This reminds me of a video by Simon Sinek, author of the book Start with Why. In the interview, which you can find online, he talks about consistency in the gym.

He explains that if you go to the gym one day, when you come back and look in the mirror, you don’t see any change. You go to the gym for three months and when you look in the mirror you see very little change. Then you think that this is not the appropriate strategy to achieve your goal. This point, is the time when many give up.

As Sinek states, at a certain point, which you can’t really pin down, if you keep going to the gym consistently, you’ll notice a difference.

Here comes the big advantage in the journey to independence over the path to fitness. In the first one, if you follow the plan outlined, it is possible to say where you are going to be at any given moment with good precision.

So don’t look for formulas. Build a plan, have discipline, patience and consistency in following what was planned and you will achieve your goals.

Michael Viriato is an investment advisor and founding partner of Investor’s House

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