Sound Wisdom Blog

Eileen Rockwell Eileen Rockwell

Financial Planning for the Birds by Jim Stovall

When it comes to money, we can all learn from our friends the birds.  

Most people among us know no way to survive financially other than flapping their wings through working at a job and living paycheck-to-paycheck. These people work hard and spend every penny they earn—and often a bit more—thanks to our culture of credit.  

Image 1 (29).jpg

Birds are among the most fascinating creatures on earth. Bird watching is one of the most popular hobbies. I believe people enjoy watching birds because birds have mastered the art of flight. Most birds are able to fly, but they do it in different ways.  

Birds are able to propel themselves through thin air by using three different methods of flight. Most birds achieve flight by flapping their wings. This great effort on their part causes them to have enough momentum so that the air flowing under their wings creates lift. Some birds, after they have flapped their wings for a period of time, are able to glide. They can, in essence, coast using the momentum they have previously generated by flapping their wings. The most elite performers and the rarest in the bird world are able to soar. These enlightened creatures, through understanding air currents and thermals, are able to use the environment around them and their understanding of it to fly for hours and many miles with very little or no effort on their own part.  

When it comes to money, we can all learn from our friends the birds.  

Most people among us know no way to survive financially other than flapping their wings through working at a job and living paycheck-to-paycheck. These people work hard and spend every penny they earn—and often a bit more—thanks to our culture of credit.  

Then there are the individuals who have flapped their financial wings long enough to save a few dollars so they can glide for a relatively brief period of time on the income that their previous effort has brought them. While this is better than frantically flapping through your entire financial life, there is still a far better way to travel. 

There are a few elite financial birds among us who have mastered the art of soaring. They started out by working hard for their money while they were learning how to make their money work hard for them. These successful financial flyers can use the financial environment around them via interest, dividends, and capital gains much like the eagles use wind currents and thermals to reach heights others cannot even imagine.  

The next time you decide to go bird watching, don’t forget the financial lessons our feathered friends can teach us. 

As you go through your day today, commit to soaring financially like the eagles. 

Today’s the day!  

Image 2 (18).png

 

This and other motivational pieces by bestselling author Jim Stovall can be found in Wisdom for Winners Volume Three, an official publication of the Napoleon Hill Foundation. 

Read More