Ep. 202 – Paul Fenner – Just Wait: Fuel for Financial and Emotional Anxiety
Have you ever caught yourself just waiting for the next economic downturn, a family milestone, or the "right moment" to act?
Just wait for the market to crash. Just wait until your kids hit middle school, or high school—or college—and then just wait for the real challenges to begin. I hear it constantly in the financial world and in conversations with fellow parents. And I've come to realize this phrase—"just wait"—is one of the sneakiest ways we let anxiety and fear rob us of the joy in front of us.
I'm diving into why "just waiting" is often a trap—whether it's about what the markets might do or what life could throw our way. Instead of waiting for the next shoe to drop, what if we shifted our mindset to "just do it"? What if we focused on investing in our families, finances, and relationships right now?
If you're tired of feeling stuck in the cycle of worry and anticipation, this episode is for you. Let's talk about how to stop waiting and start living.
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
A key takeaway from this episode is that constantly "just waiting"—whether for economic downturns or milestones in our personal lives—can leave us stuck in worry and cause us to miss out on meaningful moments; instead, embracing action and presence allows us to fully experience and appreciate life as it happens.
1 Way You Can Apply This
Instead of letting anxiety about potential setbacks hold you back, focus on actively engaging with the present—take meaningful steps toward your goals now, rather than "just waiting" for the perfect moment. This proactive mindset helps you enjoy life's important moments, reduces unnecessary worry, and fosters greater emotional and financial progress, setting you up to appreciate how far you've come in the future.
1 Question to Ask
Am I spending too much time “just waiting” for something—financially or personally—and is that causing me to miss out on meaningful moments in my life?
Key Moments From the Show
00:01 Just waiting for a recession—market dropped in 2022, but the recession never happened.
00:35 Waiting for tariffs or economic bombs to drop creates worry—effects not guaranteed.
01:05 Decades of warnings on budget deficits; waiting for disaster hasn’t helped most people.
02:20 “Just wait” mentality in parenting—advice laden with worry at every new stage.
03:24 Worry is the thief of joy—just waiting can make us miss life’s best moments.
03:52 “Just wait” breeds anxiety and takes away from the present, both financially and emotionally.
04:35 Choosing action—“just do it” attitude can lead to better outcomes in finance and family.
05:02 Looking back reveals our progress—living life by doing rather than waiting enriches it.
Resources Featured in This Episode:
Bridging the Gap Between Financial Anxiety and Reality
Helping Families Navigate Financial and Emotional Worries
Mastering Financial Anxiety: A Strategic Approach to Market Volatility