Back in December 1945, Albert Einstein was travelling cross-country on a train. At this point in time, he was famous. Everyone recognized him. We all can picture what he looks like. The train conductor comes by asking everyone for their tickets. Einstein, being a bit forgetful, couldn’t find his ticket. He frantically looked through his coat, his luggage, on the floor around him, nothing. The conductor now standing next to him says, “tickets, tickets”. Einstein looks at the conductor and says, “I cannot find my ticket!”. The conductor says, “don’t worry Mr. Einstein I know who you are” and he continues onto the next passenger.
Awhile later the conductor comes through the train car again and sees Einstein on his hands and knees scouring the floor, looking for his ticket. The conductor says, “Mr. Einstein, I know who you are, it’s ok”. Einstein says, “I know who I am, I don’t know where I’m going!”.
Do you know where you are going? Do you know how to get there? You could be the smartest person in the world but if you don’t know where you are going or how you’re getting there, you won’t feel comfortable. There is a saying that people spend more time planning for a vacation than for their retirement. Unfortunately, in some cases this is true. Imagine leaving Chicago and driving to New York with no map or GPS. Most of us would end up lost. Some of us may get there but was it the best route? Sometimes, I find myself using my GPS even when I know how to get somewhere. Not because I need it but because I’m so used to it guiding me to where I want to go. It makes me feel confident, assured that I will get to my destination.
Where are you trying to get to on your road to retirement? Do you have a GPS, a map, a plan on how to get there? If not, how do you know you are heading in the right direction?
Most folks have been busy working a full-time job, getting married, raising a family, saving money. They don’t have a roadmap or GPS to help get them to and through retirement. Do you know where you are going and how to get there? If not…start planning today!
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