Ep.203 – Paul Fenner – Time is the Ultimate Planning Killer
Time is the most valuable asset we have. But unlike money, you can’t earn more of it. And once it’s gone, it’s gone.
In this episode, I talk about something I see every day, with clients and in my own life: how a lack of time becomes the excuse for putting off financial decisions. The irony is, delaying those decisions often creates more stress and complexity down the road—costing us even more time.
I share a few stories, including my own, about why we procrastinate, what that delay costs us emotionally, and what changes when we finally decide to act. Not out of motivation—that comes and goes—but out of clarity and purpose.
Life doesn’t slow down. But your priorities can become clearer. And often, the smallest step forward creates momentum you didn’t think was possible.
If you’ve ever said, “I’ll get to it when things calm down,” this episode is for you.
Connect with Paul
Contact Paul here or schedule a time to meet with Paul here.
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And feel free to email Paul at pfenner@tammacapital.com with any feedback, questions, or ideas for future guests and topics.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES YOU MAY LIKE
1 Big Idea to Think About
While time constraints and fear of the unknown often prevent us from starting important financial and life planning tasks, we can move forward by focusing on what we'll regret not starting today—and that purposeful action, even if delayed, can bring immediate relief and clarity..
1 Way You Can Apply This
To overcome the barrier of procrastination in financial planning, identify one meaningful goal you’d regret not starting six months from now and take a small step toward it today. Anchoring your actions to a clear purpose helps cut through the overwhelm of busy schedules, allowing you to relieve stress and make steady progress, no matter how hectic life gets.
1 Question to Ask
What is something I could start working on today that I would regret not having started six months from now?
Key Moments From the Show
00:00 Time is the biggest financial planning killer, especially for busy parents.
00:51 Starting the financial planning journey lifts stress—many regret not starting sooner.
02:09 Emotional drivers can spark action for families to address taxes, retirement, and college planning.
03:02 Personal example: Home projects overwhelm due to lack of time, priority, and financial clarity amid busy family life.
04:03 Motivation is fleeting; having a clear purpose is essential for moving forward.
04:48 Purpose and objectives evolve—anchoring to current goals helps prevent future regrets.
05:11 Ask yourself what you’d regret not starting six months from now; small steps now matter despite busy schedules.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
The Science of Motivation and Strategies to Help You Achieve Your Purpose