Hunters know the importance of a solid game plan.
Going out in the early morning, investing your time and effort into a hunt is bound to teach you a few lessons here or there. (Lessons that you can apply to more than just next year’s season.)
Whether you are hunting deer, bears, or ducks, you know the patience and planning needed for success. You can’t just head out there with no plan, you’ll ruin the hunt!
I’m a hunter just like you. I am also a financial advisor & Accredited Investment Fiduciary®.
And I know that managing your money requires similar strategy, discipline, and careful execution.
Here’s four lessons I’ve learned from my most successful hunts that you can actually apply to your financial situation. Let’s go.
Prepare Early
It seems obvious, right? Being well prepared is always important.
There are so many intricacies that go into the preseason work, whether you are hunting on public or private land. One of the very first things you need are your tags! Check your state protocol (and check it for certain investments too!) But just that one step would be too easy.
I hunt on private land, so my annual preparation includes planting food plots, hanging tree stands, hanging trail cameras, building water holes, deer bedding and overall land management. We have so gracefully dubbed this version of myself as “Farmer Stan”!
We know with food plots; we are trying to draw the bucks in and toward our paths.
Hanging tree stands and trail cameras focus on placement.
And we know the importance of preparation.
This, of course, also applies to your financial health and confidence. The sooner you begin preparing for what comes next, the sooner you can benefit from the power of compounding.
Just like food plots build a foundation for the rest of the season, you can build a foundation for your financial future. There is a starting point for everything, and every season. Starting early gives you a chance for the best opportunities.
Placement and strategy go into your investments, and they are based on research. The same way I watch the movement of the wind to keep the deer from catching my scent.
Patience for the Long Run
Believe it or not, sitting in the blind or tree stand waiting for the right moment is not really long-term patience.
Yes, the minutes feel like hours, but there’s a larger picture at play. Sitting there is short-term patience.
As we unfortunately know, sometimes it's smarter to let a young buck grow into a trophy for next year.
If you give them enough time, they have the potential to become the beasts we know and love to find.
Sure, there are risks involved, but it can pay off with great rewards. We know what we’re looking for, that basket (I know you know the rhyme!) which doesn’t happen overnight. Let nature run its course, and let your waiting pay off.
Investing for the long term is a strategy that parallels this hunting lesson.
By staying the course, weathering market fluctuations, and patiently allowing your investments to grow, you can achieve remarkable results. With the changes in the economy, it may seem frightening.
It’s important to have the right mindset when investing—and that requires avoiding the “get rich quick” attitude. You’re a hunter! You know that this mindset can lead to disappointment.
The long-term approach is designed to keep your money invested in the right places—like stocks, bonds, or other assets matched to your needs—for a determined amount of time. This strategy can help your portfolio withstand market volatility over time.
Don’t pull the trigger too quickly.
Act When the Time is Right
Timing is everything. Observing and acting when conditions are favorable is essential for success. Often, we’ll wait for the cold fronts and the rut.
We monitor our trail cams for mature bucks to begin to daylight and any signs of movement. We track our targets, learn their habits, and predict what’s next. Awareness matters.
You wouldn’t waste time out there when you know that there are no trophies waiting for you, but only if you have the information needed.
Of course, the same can be said for the market.
We conduct research, watch the trends, and make informed decisions.
And then, when the time is right, we let the arrow fly.
The ability to recognize and capitalize on favorable moments is an essential skill in hunting.
Similarly, in the financial world, not hesitating when the right financial opportunities present themselves is crucial for financial success.
However, it's important to make informed and calculated decisions, not impulsive ones. By waiting and calculating, you can increase your chances of success. Lesson #2 still applies!
Invest Where it Matters
Sometimes, better gear can make all the difference. Other times, it’s all about location.
Quality is important. Just because you have a lot of gear doesn’t mean you will be successful. There is much more that goes into the hunt.
Sometimes it takes more work than expected, but it almost always pays off.
When you find what works for you, you do it.
As expected, the same applies to financial planning. Choosing a quality advisor and financial tools are crucial.
You must evaluate your family’s needs and priorities before making any decisions. Your goals should align with your needs and personal values.
Find what works for you!
Whether you’re bringing home a trophy beast or investing in your future, there are lessons to be learned in the world of strategy and patience.
And honestly, these are only a few of them!
I want to know what hunting lessons you carry over to your everyday life!
Does scent blocker actually make the best deodorant? Have you tried prepping beef the same ay you prep venison? (Does a bear really poop in the woods? These are important questions people!)
Let’s chat. Shoot me an email at Stan@MaleckiFinancialGroup.com, or we can set up an initial meeting to discuss your financial future now! Just click this link and we can find a time that works for us both between the chaos of the hunting season.
The views stated in this letter are not necessarily the opinion of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC.