4 top tips for dealing with financial crossroads

Author: Neil Jankelowitz

Life is made up of many different paths and as a result, many different choices. There are long and short roads; smooth and rocky roads; crooked and straight roads; roads that lead us to happiness and roads that lead us to sadness; as well as roads to success and roads to defeat.

As we journey through life, we come across these different roads and are mostly able to handle their twists, turns, corners and detours. But there is one road that is trickier than the rest; that requires a little more insight in order to safely navigate it – the crossroad. With four roads to choose from, which one do you take?

Using specific tools can make this process easier, like a compass to ensure you’re heading in the right direction or a torch to help you see when the road ahead is dark.

The same could be said for financial crossroads. Considering all the options available to you can be overwhelming, and trying to forecast all the possible outcomes of taking the different routes can be daunting. Much like the compass, we can help you navigate your way to wealth. Here are our four top tips for dealing with financial crossroads:

1. Get a travel partner
   There are no guarantees, and you don’t really know where a road will lead until you take it. However, travelling with somebody who has been down that road before will provide you with the insights you need to stay two steps ahead, making the journey that much more pleasant.

2. Be patient
   ‘Are we there yet?’ This phrase is synonymous with long journeys and having to wait for the final destination to reveal itself. It’s often while waiting that we look back at our decision and question if we made the right choice. On the other hand, if the journey is short and delivering good results, then we feel we did make the right choice. It’s critical to remember that many decisions only come to fruition after a longer period of time. So even though at times you may feel you are on the wrong path, you are most likely heading in the perfect direction, but just need to exercise patience.

3. Use a map
   Getting as much information as you can about your departure point, the journey ahead and your destination will enable you to make an informed decision about the right road to take. Don’t be afraid to stop and ask for directions along the way; having answers to your questions will ease your journey on the various roads you travel.

4. Trust yourself as the driver
   Once you have made a decision, stick to it. Trust the choices you have made as the person in control of your journey, and be prepared for the consequences, good or bad. Remember, with the right partners by your side and the right tools at your disposal, you can safely navigate every crossroad you encounter.