“What does a life well-lived mean to you?” It’s a question that sparks endless possibilities. Maybe it’s those precious moments with family, pursuing passions that bring you joy, leaving behind a meaningful legacy, or simply finding peace and fulfillment. One thing remains constant: a well-lived life is about far more than the numbers in your accounts. When we think about our financial future, it’s easy to get lost in spreadsheets, projections, and market trends. It can feel like staring at the gears of a clock, without ever stepping back to appreciate the beauty of time itself. While the technical details are crucial—the gears that make the clock tick—it’s just as important to remember the why behind it all. Anchoring Wealth to Purpose From my experience working with wealth management clients, I’ve noticed a common thread among those who find real fulfillment in their financial success. They view money not as the end goal but as a vehicle—a means to pursue what matters most. It’s the foundation that lets them start a foundation, create lasting memories with loved ones, or explore new interests without constraints. Yet, financial goals can often become disconnected from the heart of the matter. Numbers, while essential, can feel empty if they’re not tied to a deeper purpose. our mission is to help clients find the intersection between their finances and their purpose, so that their strategy becomes more than just a plan—it becomes a journey toward a life they’re excited to live. How We Find the “Why” It starts with conversation. Not just the kind about tax implications or rate-of-return projections (though rest assured, we’ll cover those too!) It’s the kind of conversation that brings your dreams into focus—the ones that make you light up inside. Ask yourself these questions: What are the moments in life that bring you the most joy? What values do you want to pass on to your family? How do you want to be remembered? These aren’t just feel-good questions; they’re a compass, pointing you toward where your financial journey should lead. Without a clear direction, it’s easy to chase goals that don’t truly align with what matters most to you. Aligning Wealth and Well-Being A life well-lived isn’t just about what you have—it’s about how you feel about what you have. A significant part of well-being comes from knowing you’re on the right path, that your decisions are intentionally guiding your resources toward a fulfilling life. This alignment creates peace of mind, which is far more valuable than any dollar amount. So, how do we create this alignment? It starts with intention. Intentional Wealth Management Intentional wealth management means approaching your finances with the same clarity and purpose you’d bring to any other area of your life. It’s about making decisions that not only aim for the best financial outcome but also reflect the best outcome for you and your family. It’s about crafting a plan that doesn’t just sustain your lifestyle but empowers it. Whether that means simplifying your portfolio to free up mental space or planning ahead to ensure your legacy endures, intentionality is the key. Embracing the Journey, Not Just the Destination It’s tempting to measure success by milestones—a number in an account, a major acquisition, a goal achieved. But a life well-lived isn’t just defined by what you accomplish; it’s marked by how you live along the way. It’s about chasing your dreams without sacrificing the present. It means savoring the moments you’ve worked so hard to create, rather than deferring your happiness to a far-off point. Imagine your financial journey as a road trip. The destination matters, but so does the journey itself—the sights, the experiences, the moments that make it memorable. My goal is to help clients feel confident in their plans so they can truly enjoy the ride. The Power of Reflection Throughout our work together, there’s a rhythm—a cycle of reflection and realignment. Life changes, and so does your vision of what’s meaningful. Having a plan that evolves alongside you ensures that you stay on the path toward the life you want. Every so often, we encourage our clients to step back and ask, “What does a life well-lived mean to me today?” The answers will evolve, and that’s perfectly okay. The important thing is to stay intentional about the direction in which you’re moving. In Closing: A Personal Note I believe a life well-lived is one where your wealth fuels your purpose. It’s a life where you feel empowered and confident, knowing that today’s decisions are leading you toward a fulfilling tomorrow. If there’s one thing I hope you take away, it’s that wealth isn’t just about accumulating resources—it’s about using those resources to create a life that feels truly rich in every sense of the word. So, ask yourself, “What does a life well-lived mean to me?” Once you have your answer, we can work together to make that vision a reality. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about having more—it’s about living richly. And that’s a journey worth investing in. From my experience working with wealth management clients, I’ve noticed a common thread among those who find real fulfillment in their financial success. They view money not as the end goal but as a vehicle—a means to pursue what matters most. It’s the foundation that lets them start a foundation, create lasting memories with loved ones, or explore new interests without constraints. According to Investopedia “wealth is measured by taking the value of all the assets of worth owned by a person. This is determined by taking the total market value of all physical and intangible assets owned, then subtracting all debts. Essentially, wealth is the accumulation of scarce resources.” After my first son was born, I began to think about what the next phase of our lives looked like. We went from two busy professionals who could hop on a plane for a weekend trip, grab dinner, or chase endless weekend adventures to first time parents. We were 2,000 miles away from family trying to plan the one or two trips a year that we could see them which led me to ask this question, how many summers do we have left?Insights Blog
Fueling the Pursuit of a Life Well Lived
November 22, 2024 // Michael Baker
Fueling the Pursuit of a Life Well Lived
What is Wealth?
How Many Summers?