What a Difference 20 Years Can Make

As I reflect today, I look back on the last 20 years simply because today is my son's 20th birthday. I look at the man he is becoming and quickly realize what a difference can happen in just 20 years. While it seems on the surface like a long period, in reality, it is like the blink of an eye. While I celebrate his birthday, I want to reflect in general on this idea of 20 years of the impact it can have on many different areas.

1) In your career: 4 years ago, I hit my 20-year mark in my career, which is a significant milestone, especially considering that I am with the same company I started with. As I interviewed new incoming candidates this past week I immediately felt like the old guy at the table. After all, 20 years ago, my starting salary was $47,000 a year, which was pretty good at the time. Over these years, my salary has more than tripled and I have gone up 6 levels into management and grown in ways that I never imagined. In the course of your career, it is not always a simple progression, there is no guarantee for growth, but if you consistently put in the work, keep learning, and set those goals higher and higher you can grow as well. The key is having a target and a plan to get there.

2) In your home: My wife will be married for 24 years in October, we celebrated that time 4 years ago with a trip back to

our wedding venue. Over time, God has blessed us with 3 wonderful children, a beautiful home, a relationship that just keeps getting stronger, and so much more. For anyone who has been married for any length of time, the same applies here. You have to invest in your marriage, develop plans, and work at it every day. It does not just go naturally, consistency over time is the key here.

3) In your finances: I shared with a group from our local Women's Leadership this week an hour on finding peace in finances. The message is just the same as above, boring but true. Consistency over time is the key to finding peace, planning for your future, and finding peace. My favorite slide was a pretty simple one that shows a $100,000 salary with consistent investment throughout 10, 20, and 30 years in different increments (6%, 10%, 15%, 25%). The message is simple, if you are only willing to save the minimum (which is up to our company match) you will do well, it is going to take longer, but if you can increase to those larger amounts you can set yourself up well for the future, with the highest number hitting over $4 Million. Why is this important? Again, it is not a race, it is consistency over time that builds wealth for your future and gives you peace.

20 years, went by pretty quickly with my son. He is growing well, heading into his junior year of college, and developing into quite the man. As you reflect on the last 20 years, what would you change? What would you do differently? What stops you from making that change right now?

The worst thing you can do is see an opportunity for change and not take it. Sure, starting 20 years ago would have made a big difference, but do not wait a minute longer, make the change now and see what a difference that change can make over 20 years.