This week’s Friday Footnotes contains a TED talk and quote from the incredible late Sir Ken Robinson. Taking the time to find your element, as he describes it, can make for an amazing life, whether that be in finance, sport, science or nutrition. I can safely say the people featured in this email have all found their element!
TED Talk I’ve Found Interesting
In an early Friday Footnotes, I shared my all-time favourite TED Talk by Sir Ken Robinson, ‘Do Schools Kill Creativity’. His books, especially ‘The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything’ are nothing short of brilliant, so I was devastated to hear of his death last week. He was an educationist who argued that children’s creativity is stifled by school systems that prioritise academic achievement, but he was largely ignored by politicians of both main parties, which I have always found highly frustrating.
A magician with words, his second TED talk ‘Bring on the Learning Revolution!’ is almost as brilliant as his first, and again is a must for anyone with a vague interest in education. The world is definitely a poorer place without him.
What I’ve Been Reading
A few weeks ago I recommended ‘The Man Who Cycled the World’ about Mark Beaumont setting a new world record back in 2008 by cycling 18,000 miles around the world unsupported in 195 days.
What I didn’t realise at the time of buying that book was that in 2017 he went back and, with a support crew, brought the record down to an astonishing 78 ½ days. You didn’t misread that, he took over 100 days off his previous record, averaging over an incredible 240 miles a day!
The story of this latest record is told in his book ‘Around the World in 80 Days: My World Record Breaking Adventure’ and is equally as brilliant as the first book. I have loved listening to the audiobooks of his incredible adventures whilst on my bike, as I feel that I have almost enjoyed the journey with him.
Podcast I’ve Been Listening To
A few weeks ago I mentioned the endurance fuel 33Fuel as being a high a source of high quality nutrition. I have been listening to some of their podcasts, which are really worth checking out.
Warren and Erica’s enthusiasm for a healthy and happy life is infectious, and the quality of their products reflects this. I particularly enjoyed the episode where Warren interviewed ultrarunner, Zach Bitter, as Zach is renowned for his low carb, high fat and protein approach to nutrition. The discount code that 33fuel set up for me is ‘TA33’ if you decide to give it a try.
Quote of the Week
“If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.”
- Sir Ken Robinson.
Finance Theme I’ve Been Considering
Divorce can be a very painful experience from many perspectives. Making sure the wellbeing of any young children are at the centre of the process should obviously be the primary concern, however the financial aspect of the process often takes up a large share of the worry.
What will life look like financially on the other side is a massive worry for those going through the divorce process, so it always amazes me when a solicitor refers the client to a financial planner right at the end of the process. They have had to deal with the worry of, “will I have enough” throughout the duration of the divorce when that element could have been addressed so much earlier.
At Efficient Portfolio we have a Resolution Accredited Financial Planner in Henry Elliston, which means he specialises in helping people negotiate this difficult time from a financial perspective. Henry is being featured in a Divorce Financial Workshop showing you how to make the Divorce Finances Less Scary. There are limited spaces, but if you or someone you know would benefit from attending, you can find out more here.
We always say, the earlier we can get involved in the divorce process, the more financial worry we can take away so that they can focus their attention on more important matters, like their children.