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What do rowing across an ocean and saving for retirement have in common?
Before this year, I’d never have contemplated it.
But now that preparations are underway for my great Atlantic Ocean row from La Gomera to Antigua in December 2025, I’m seeing all the parallels.
“How do you successfully row an ocean from one side to the other?”
(without dying of exhaustion and drowning)
That’s the big question I’ve been discovering the answer to firsthand over the past few months.
The temptation is to simply spend as much time as possible on the most accessible form of rowing-related training – an indoor rower.
Then as much time as possible actually rowing on the ocean.
Both of those are important – especially the real-life ocean rowing part.
But it would be a naive, shallow, one-dimensional approach to only focus on building the rowing muscle.
I’ll need to be strong in a very holistic way to row this ocean successfully.
I’ll need a robust, physically strong body – and a mentally strong and resilient mind.
That’s why my cross-training regime also includes:
• Hiking up mountains solo (I recently climbed Snowdon – the highest mountain in Wales – twice in a day)
• Boxing every Tuesday
• A planned 60 miles of walking over two days in September
• The Tough Mudder assault course in October
Each of these help me to:
- Practice problem-solving on my own
- Strengthen muscles I may have neglected or forgotten about – but will need
- Up my mental game
It’s very similar to the way I approach strategy as a financial adviser when I’m working with you to reach your wealth goals.
When someone asks me, “How do you save for retirement?”
My answer would never be to:
• Invest thousands in just one company
• Invest only in property
• Focus only on your pension fund
Having all your eggs in one basket is never a good idea.
The famous Economist, Harry Markowitz, described diversification as “the only free lunch in finance.”
To get the best investment results and protect our wealth with a robust strategy, we need to invest in different companies, in different sectors, and in different parts of the world.
Breaking that down further, my advice would be to focus on three areas:
Just like my ocean rowing training:
By applying strategies that have served investors well for decades, I’m confident the same will translate to a strong performance in the boat – and a successful solo voyage across the Atlantic.
Until next time.
Tom
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P.S. If you've got a big idea you want to finance – or, you're simply ready to take the next step on your personal wealth journey, here's how I can help.
The best way to learn how to get from where you are to where you want to be when it comes to your lifestyle and your finances is to request a 1-to-1 Wealth Strategy Session.
During this session, we'll look at things like lifestyle planning, pension savings, investment allocation, risk & insurance, when you can retire, and with how much, and anything else that may be on your mind.
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