Michael Jordan, former professional basketball player, once said, “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”
 
Whilst these words are rooted in the world of elite sport, they also resonate deeply in the realm of lifestyle financial planning.
 
Financial freedom doesn’t just arrive by chance. Many people want to retire early, travel extensively, or provide their children with the best education. Others wish for security, dreaming of a comfortable lifestyle, without really engaging with the process. But some people make it happen by planning, acting, and adjusting. These are the people who truly achieve their goals.
 
Lifestyle financial planning is about more than saving money or investing wisely. It starts with a vision of the kind of life you want to live. From there, it becomes about making intentional decisions that align your finances with your personal values and life goals. This might mean setting clear savings targets, investing with purpose, or restructuring your budget to free up resources for what matters most.
 
Just like Jordan’s relentless pursuit of excellence, successful financial planning demands discipline, consistency, and a willingness to adapt. It’s about playing the long game, not reacting to every market move, and staying focused on your end goal. And when setbacks occur, as they inevitably do, it’s the mindset of ‘making it happen’ that keeps you on track.
 
Ultimately, lifestyle financial planning empowers you to live life on your terms. So, the question is - will you simply want it or wish for it, or will you take the steps necessary to make it happen?
 
As Jordan’s career shows us, greatness, financial or otherwise, is rarely accidental. It’s built, one intentional choice at a time.
 
Remember, life is not a rehearsal. We only get one chance at it. While money is important, what truly matters is what we do with it.