225 | Compared to What?

Money is tricky because it's a game with no real rules.

No refs or game clock.

No schedule or standings.

No scoreboard or championship.

It's missing the basic guidelines that allow us to reflect, tweak, and game plan based on a shared understanding of reality.

• This is what we'll do next half since that happened in the first half.
• That strategy isn't allowed any more so we'll have to use this one.
• We only have enough time left for this approach.
• Can you imagine how good we're going to be next season?!

Usually, we don't appreciate the value of order until it's gone.

And with money it's often MIA from the start.

So tracking "progress" is haunted by the fickle question..."compared to what?".

Yesterday?

Our neighbors or siblings?

If we'd chosen the other option?

If we were on better terms with our boss or biggest client?

If we won the lottery?

Without introducing some basic guidelines, it's as if we're learning a new sport from scratch every time we think about money.