I recently spent a week tent camping and hiking in Northern Ontario. No, I don’t mean the Muskoka’s, Kawartha’s, or even Sudbury. I am talking about Thunder Bay and the surrounding area – specifically, Neys Provincial Park and Sleeping Giant Provincial Park (with other short stops along the way). The views were breathtaking, the drive was far, the animals were active, and I now understand why people refer to that area as “the Bush”.
I am not an avid camper, but I do enjoy the outdoors and hiking. To say this was out of my comfort zone would be a slight understatement. That being said, I wanted to challenge myself and that comfort zone to do something I never had before. Were there times I was not enjoying myself, or scared, or uncomfortable? Yes. Do I regret it or at any point wish I didn’t go? Absolutely not. The 16 hour drive home had me thinking about lots of things, and reflecting on learning experiences from the past week was one of them. Here are 4 things I learned on my trip that can interestingly relate to well-being, finance, and investing.
1. Challenge Yourself – The last time I went tent camping was when I was in high school at the Pinery in Grand Bend. This is a huge leap to the vast forest I ended up in. What had I gotten myself into? I was prepared. I had purchased all the necessary gear, brought plenty of back up items, had done some research on what to expect with conditions, weather, bugs, and animals. I also was not alone (more on that below) so I had others around me. Yet I was still feeling anxious and uncomfortable because I was in a place and situation I had never been in. I learned fast how to start a fire with limited aids, how to pitch a large tent, how to hang a tarp 15 feet in the air with no ladder to protect from rain, how to cook over the fire (although we had a small portable BBQ with us as well – luxury). I also realized that things don’t need to be overcomplicated. Camping life is a simple life, which has its benefits. What I learned even more is that it’s ok to be uncomfortable if you are prepared and have an open mindset. You can do things that you haven’t before, you can make it through, and maybe it will be better than you expected. The same can be said about finance and well-being. Change can be scary and uncomfortable, but if there is preparation, due diligence with research, and the right mindset, good things can arise and a more positive experience may be possible. This is especially true if you have the right people around you that you trust.
Which brings me to my next concept…
2. Have a Trusted person/people by your side – By far the biggest advantage to combatting my discomfort was my travel companion. Although not Bear Grylls, my travel buddy had logged significantly more camping hours than I, so I was definitely in good hands. The things I learned and the discomfort I overcame were in large part due to the confidence, knowledge, and experience of my partner. Having a trusted Advisor by your side can provide the same benefits. Whether it be personal challenges, market volatility, or world economic or political issues, having an Advisor can help protect you from dangers and guide you through the complexities and challenges of wealth and life.
3. Unplug – The scenery I experienced was incredible. From the 7-hour, 26km, Sleeping Giant hike that sits 1,000 feet above Lake Superior with a famous large crack in the rock, to Kakabeka Falls, to the ancient stone carvings at Agawa Pictographs, it was incredible what I experienced. Immersing myself in nature allowed me to unplug. No phone (other than for pictures). No cell signal even, so the majority of the time I couldn’t check my phone if I wanted to. This ended up being a very refreshing thing during the trip as I could be present in the moment and not consumed with anything else. I think this is an important component of investing as well. Unplug, tune out the noise, turn off the news which is often negative. Be present in the moments of life and take part in the things that you enjoy doing with the people you enjoy doing them with. Having a well-structured, appropriate risk portfolio allows you to do this.
Pictures do not do it justice but below are some of the views.
4. Practice Patience – 16 hours is a long time to sit in a vehicle. The ride up we stopped halfway in Sault St Marie. On the way home, we drove straight through. The drive was long, sometimes boring, and seemingly never ending. The worst part, the last 2 hours of the drive making our way through the 400 series highways was gridlock traffic. After smooth sailing for 14 hours, it came to a dead stop. This was exhausting, but patience prevailed, we made it through the traffic and home to London in almost exactly 16 hours. Investing should always be for a purpose or to have a destination. The length of time or the traffic along the way (volatility) should not matter as much, as long as the destination is reached. Sometimes seatbelts need to be tightened or a brief stretch is necessary, but being patient and having a well-structured investment portfolio will get you to your destination.
I look forward to sharing more about my trip with you all in the coming meetings if interested. Feel free to reach out directly if you have any comments to share. I would love to hear similar stories that you may have.
Thanks for reading,
Chris Horn, CFP®
Wealth Advisor
Assante Capital Management Ltd.
Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of Assante Capital Management Ltd. This material is provided for general information and the opinions expressed 4 and information provided herein are subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to compile this material from reliable sources however no warranty can be made as to its accuracy or completeness. Before acting on the information presented, please seek professional financial advice based on your personal circumstances. Assante Capital Management Ltd. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization.
