Chris Conkell

Welcome.

I always handwrite birthday and anniversary letters. The best messages are heavy, as personal sentiments can live for decades tucked away in memory’s drawers. The timelessness of the written word can also be daunting and is one reason I’ve been reluctant to share my thoughts publicly, until now. Writing online can feel like you’re going streaking, but there’s a reason vulnerability is a hallmark of remarkable moments in life.

This blog was born in a pandemic. As I searched for ways to sharpen my thinking, I knew the time was ripe to build a home for my thoughts. I decided writing would wrestle my best thoughts and ideas down to the mat, relegating the tap-outs to time-out. Although starting a blog initially felt like a selfish endeavor, I’m driven to help and educate people. As Charlie Munger once said, “The best thing a human being can do is to help another human being know more.” With that guiding spirit in mind, I’ll start writing for an audience of one, hoping to pick up kindred spirits along the way. I aspire to reach folks in different ways, aiming to inform, stir emotion, and occasionally entertain. Have a look around—I’m happy you’re here.

The days are long, but the decades are short.

It’s hard to stay sharp when you’re day trading emotions. These days, it’s easy to find yourself inundated with information and unclear how to process everything. This stokes short-termism, which can lead to rash decisions, scattered thinking, or worse. As a financial practitioner, my job is to smooth out the noise and keep clients’ eyes downfield. A long term perspective requires a lot of legwork, but the right plan can yield a lifetime of fulfillment.

Remember that things change. Your financial stressors or complexities will evolve over time. Adapting to changing information on the fly ensures your house doesn’t come crashing down. Retire, lose a job, or lose a loved one, and you’ll quickly realize you prioritize things differently as you grow and age. Life hits hard. Sometimes all you can do is survive the day, but if you can ponder the hope of tomorrow for even a minute, I promise it helps.

Humans are resilient, and I will always bet on the person who’s trying to improve. Even the smallest next step of positive action should be celebrated. It’s a vote for a better future and a prerequisite to enact long-term, meaningful change.