…Than You Think You Can

This is going to sound like boasting. Well, it is, I suppose. No way around it (as if this entire blog is not just one shameless self-promotion after another; makes me want to vomit just thinking about it). But, it’s for a good cause. I want to show you something. So, here goes. In addition to running a $100 million wealth management practice (which I built in 10 years with the Lord’s guidance and blessing), owning and managing a stand alone tax and accounting practice, which I am building through acquisitions, and maintaining a top 5 advisor production rank at my broker dealer (where I also serve on its investment committee and travel bi-monthly to its home office in San Diego for 2 days of meetings each time it convenes), I head coach elite level youth baseball two seasons per year (which includes 2 evening practices and 2 evening games each week night), write two blogs (one personal and one business), serve as Associate Director of World Hope Bible Institute (for which I travel internationally more than 60 days per year and keep office hours at its headquarters on Mondays), attend Biola University, a private Christian college in Los Angeles, as a full time student (taking 9-12 hours per semester) where I am about half way through an executive Master’s degree (not an online program, as I have to travel to Biola for lectures 4-5 times per year), homeschool my 9th grader, am an avid bird hunter with my sons and dogs, and am currently restoring two vintage cars, a ’65 Thunderbird and a ’69 Cutlass, both convertibles. Except for travel and baseball, I am home very night. I attend all my kids’ events when I am in town. I vacation with my family 3 or 4 weeks a year, and so on.

No Superman

I heard that Muhammad Ali once refused to fasten his seatbelt on a flight. When the flight attendant insisted he do so, he quipped, “Superman don’t need no seatbelt.” The flight attendant replied dryly, “Superman don’t need no airplane.” I’m no superman. I’m just organized and efficient. True, I hate being idle. But, the more I add to my plate, the less I am involved in trivia, like watching television, mowing the lawn, surfing the Internet, or daydreaming. I once was asked by the Gideon Society (those folks who put the Bibles in hotel rooms) to become a member. When I complained that I already had too much to do, they said that that was why they’d invited me. The man said, “Busy people get things done.” I instantly knew it was true and could not come up with a reasonable defense. I joined and served three years until I stepped down to enroll in seminary (ministers could not be members, and I wanted to be more involved in ministry). Just after our son was born (our daughter was 5 years old at the time), my wife became ill with a serious neurological disorder and was bedridden 24/7 for six years. During this time, I sold my first business (a regional annuity distributor with 200 advisors and staff and offices around Texas), enrolled in seminary where I completed my undergraduate studies (earning two degrees in theology while carrying a 3.8 GPA), planted and grew a community church (acquiring and renovating a small Bingo hall/beer joint for its use), started and built my present wealth management firm, cared for my wife, and raised our two kids. My in laws, and especially my mother-in-law, who lived nearby, were indispensable during this time, and I am very grateful for them. You can do more than you think you can. A lot more.