The Picture On The Box

Let's say you've just opened a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle and have all the pieces on a large table in front of you. 

What do you do next?

Most people, including myself, would probably begin looking for all the pieces with straight edges which will form the border or outside edge of the puzzle. 

But, once that's done, what do you do next?

My guess is that you look at the picture on the box.

Buy why? 

Looking at the picture certainly isn't going to magically piece the puzzle together for you.

However, I think the value in the picture is that it serves as a guide as you assemble the puzzle. 

Different colors and shapes serve as guideposts along the way to putting all the pieces together.

Wealth management is very similar. 

I think you need to have a clear "picture on the box" for yourself before you can go about assembling your own financial puzzle. 

This is determined by exploring and documenting what's important to you and the steps you're willing to take to achieve these things.

Though often quoted, I think now is a good time to remember a conversation between Alice and the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland:

Alice begins,

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"

"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.

"I don't much care where –" said Alice.

"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.

"– so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation.

"Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

In investing and wealth management, you're sure to get somewhere, but is it where you want to go?