Pennsylvania Investment Observer

Who's Responsible?

by Daniel J. Nestlerode

Much of our lives are taken up with conversations related to assigning blame and cause for the events in life. Often in the chatter of everyday conversations we expose our beliefs, biases and points of view about every subject under the sun. Many of us have an unlimited source of opinions about nearly every subject that comes up in conversation, both with ourselves and with others. It is probably a good thing that our pets cannot talk, or we might have a very different relationship with them.

For the most part, our opinions don't really matter. A lot of what we say has little or no impact on the world, our community, friends, neighbors, business associates and family. That said, there are some utterances that come out of our mouths that really do matter. Indeed, these utterances can create the future for us and for those we care. To shed some light on what matters, author John G. Miller wrote a pithy little book called "QBQ - The Question Behind The Question". Author Miller has taken on blame, complaining and procrastination and illuminated these dark subjects with the practices of personal accountability at work and in life. In my words, he is challenging us to take responsibility for our circumstances and station in life. No matter what your circumstances and station in life, the one person who had the most to do with it was you.

Many years ago I took several workshops created by the "est" organization. We had a process with the notion of complaining that ended the usual practice of complaining that many of us had adopted. When you have a complaint, you were directed to complain to that person or organization that could do something about the matter. Further, you were prohibited from mentioning the complaint to anyone who could not do anything about your complaint. This certainly shortens the conversations about the weather, taxes and death. A complaint, if genuine, is actually a request that something change. Complaining just to complain is irresponsible and damages both you and the other person to whom you are complaining. Miller takes this practice a step further and points out that only you have the power to change your life for the better. So, stop waiting for things to get better and start new personal practices that will lead to the place to which you desire.

From my perspective as an investment manager, have you funded your IRA this year?

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