In a world that feels chaotic right now, it’s easy to fall into the trap of worrying about things we simply can’t control – fretting over unpredictable world leaders, volatile investment markets, interest rate hikes, legislative changes, wars, inflation, and the whims of central banks. It feels like there’s always something outside our grasp causing disruption. 

Albert Einstein famously said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I’d argue the same applies to continually trying to control the uncontrollable. It’s exhausting, it’s futile, and you’ll fail 100% of the time.  

Instead, it’s far better to get laser-focused on what truly matters. The key to serenity in turbulent times is to direct your energy toward things you can influence – and make peace with the things you can’t.

What Really Matters 

Too often, when I ask people about their goals, they respond with a specific sum of money but lack clarity on what that figure would unlock in their lives. It’s only when we dig deeper that we uncover what truly matters to them. I often prompt a bit of dreaming to get to the heart of it – for example, imagining they’ve just won Thursday night’s $30M Powerball. With financial freedom at their fingertips, what would they do differently? 

For some clients, not much would change; for others, everything would. While the answers vary wildly, they all share one common thread – a shift from focusing purely on money to understanding the utility of wealth. It’s about moving from seeing money as the goal to seeing it as the means to achieve what truly matters 

Here’s what I believe matters most – and it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on your own priorities too: 

  • Life: Living it fully and meaningfully. 
  • Health: Prioritising both physical and mental well-being. 
  • Family: Building and nurturing strong, loving relationships. 
  • Personal Growth: Continually learning, evolving, and striving to be the best version of yourself. 
  • Experiences: I’m not into “stuff”, but experiences are important to me – I want to take my family to see the world, experience new and exciting things, and make unforgettable memories. 
  • Having No Regrets: Making choices that align with your values and passions (consider the Top Five Regrets of the Dying: not living true to oneself, working too hard, not expressing feelings, losing touch with friends, and not allowing happiness). 
  • Serenity & Contentment: Finding peace amidst the noise & being grateful with where you are and what you have. 
  • Leaving a Legacy: Making an impact that lasts beyond your lifetime. 
  • Contribution: Giving back to your community and making a positive difference. 
  • Using money as a funding mechanism for your goals – not making money the goal. 

What You Can Control 

While the world spins on around us, there are still things firmly within our grasp. Focusing on these will not only give you a sense of stability but also help you make tangible progress toward your goals. 

  • Your Thoughts, Feelings, Actions, and Reactions: Mastering your mindset and choosing how you respond to challenges. 
  • Your Financial Strategy: Building a plan that aligns with your goals and helps you achieve what truly matters 
  • Your Financial Structure & Strategic Tax Planning: Optimising your tax structures to minimise leakage and compound your wealth tax-effectively. 
  • Spending and Cash Flow: Being intentional about how money moves through your life. Knowing what money can be spent on present day you, and what needs to be saved to secure the lifestyle of future you 
  • Your Investment Risk Profile & Strategic Asset Allocation: Making informed and empowered choices about how your investments are structured to strike the right balance between maximising your returns and sleeping soundly at night. 

As financial author Morgan Housel aptly puts it, “Use money to gain control over your time, because not having control of your time is such a powerful and universal drag on happiness. The ability to do what you want, when you want, with who you want, for as long as you want to, pays the highest dividend that exists in finance.”  This perfectly captures the essence of focusing on what truly matters and designing your life around what you can control. 

Make Peace with the Rest 

The reality is most of what we stress about never actually comes to pass. Markets will go up and down, interest rates will rise and fall, and world leaders will come and go. The trick is not to let uncontrollable events dominate your mindset or dictate your choices. 

Instead, ground yourself in what truly matters and what you can control. Let go of the rest – it simply doesn’t deserve your time, energy, or peace of mind. 

If you’re finding it tough to separate the noise from the substance, we’re here to help. At Fuse Wealth, we focus on building financial strategies that are resilient to uncertainty.

Book a call if you’d like to chat about creating a plan that keeps you steady no matter what the world throws at you.

Saul.