By Brandon Willett of Monrovia, IN
When it comes to money, most people worry about making the “perfect” choice. Should I buy now or wait? Should I invest in this or that? Did I miss my chance to save enough for retirement? The truth is, nobody gets everything exactly right all the time. Even financial professionals don’t have a crystal ball. What really matters isn’t perfection—it’s consistency.
Over my years as a financial planner, I’ve seen that the people who reach their goals aren’t the ones who always made flawless decisions, but the ones who stayed committed to their plan, even when things weren’t perfect. Financial success is about the long game, not short-term wins.
Progress Beats Perfection
One of the biggest myths about financial planning is that you need to make perfect moves to succeed. In reality, trying to time the market, predict economic shifts, or wait until everything feels “just right” often leads to missed opportunities.
What makes a bigger difference is progress. Saving a little bit consistently is far more effective than waiting until you can save a perfect amount. Investing regularly, even when markets are uncertain, often leads to better results than trying to guess the highs and lows. Small, steady steps build momentum, and that momentum compounds over time.
Think of it like training for a sport. If you only practice on the days you feel perfect or when conditions are ideal, you won’t get very far. But if you show up consistently, day in and day out, progress is inevitable.
The Power of Compounding
Consistency pays off most clearly when we talk about compounding. Compounding happens when your savings or investments earn returns, and then those returns start earning returns of their own. Over time, this snowball effect creates growth that can feel almost magical—but it only works if you give it time.
The earlier you start and the more consistent you are, the more powerful compounding becomes. Missing a “perfect” investment doesn’t matter nearly as much as sticking with a steady saving and investing routine. Time and patience do the heavy lifting, not perfection.
Staying the Course Through Ups and Downs
Life is full of ups and downs, and so are financial markets. It’s natural to feel nervous when the stock market drops or when unexpected expenses come up. In those moments, many people want to make drastic changes to their plan, hoping to “fix” things quickly.
But here’s the truth: reacting emotionally often does more harm than good. The clients I’ve seen succeed over the long term are the ones who stick with their plan, even when things feel uncertain. They understand that downturns are temporary and that consistency during tough times is what sets them up for growth when the tide turns again.
Just like in sports, you don’t abandon your game plan after one bad quarter—you adjust where needed but stay focused on the bigger picture.
Building Habits That Last
Consistency doesn’t happen by accident—it comes from building good habits. Here are a few habits I encourage people to develop:
- Save automatically: Set up automatic transfers into savings or investment accounts so you don’t have to rely on willpower.
- Pay yourself first: Treat saving like a bill that must be paid, not an afterthought.
- Review regularly: Check in on your plan consistently, not just when something goes wrong.
- Stay educated: Read, ask questions, and stay engaged so that your confidence grows along with your plan.
These habits don’t require perfection. They just require steady effort. Over time, they create a foundation that’s strong enough to handle whatever life throws your way.
Give Yourself Grace
Another important part of financial planning is giving yourself grace. Life happens—cars break down, kids need braces, jobs change, and unexpected events can derail the best-laid plans. The key isn’t to beat yourself up over those moments but to adjust and keep moving forward.
Nobody’s financial journey is a straight line. Even the most disciplined savers and investors hit bumps in the road. What matters is that you get back on track and keep your long-term goals in sight.
Why Guidance Helps
One of the reasons I love being a financial planner is that I get to help people focus on consistency and block out the noise of perfection. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by headlines, market swings, or pressure to make every choice “the best” one. My role is to remind people that steady progress is enough, and that sticking with a plan matters more than reacting to every twist and turn.
Having someone in your corner can provide perspective, encouragement, and accountability—the same way a coach does for an athlete. We don’t aim for flawless execution every time; we aim for a consistent, winning strategy.
The Bottom Line
Financial planning is a long game. It’s not about chasing perfect decisions or stressing over every move. It’s about building habits, staying consistent, and keeping your eyes on the bigger picture. Progress, patience, and persistence will take you further than perfection ever could.
When I think back to my time as a student-athlete, I remember that it wasn’t the perfect plays that won games—it was the consistent execution, the steady effort, and the commitment to the plan. Financial planning works the same way. Show up, stay disciplined, and keep moving forward. That’s how you win the long game.