Fix the Engine Before You Wax the Hood

Fix the Engine Before You Wax the HoodA bite-size think about it bite.When my father worked on the family car, he never waxed the hood while the engine was still knocking. He fixed the big thing first, then worried about the shine. In Ukraine, they made a smart choice about order. Most of the supplies moving into Crimea came over land. Only a small slice, something like four or five percent, came by sea. So they went after the land routes first, the ones carrying the heavy load. Only after those were degraded did they turn to the ships. Had they hit the ships first, it would have been a minor distraction, and the rest would simply have shifted to the roads. Here is the point worth holding onto. The order you do things in can matter as much as the things themselves. A lot of people pour their energy into small financial tweaks, the equivalent of waxing the hood, while the big levers sit untouched. Handle the largest items first, the ones carrying most of the weight, and the smaller pieces tend to fall into place. Sequence is strategy.For more on this and other bite-size think about it bites and casual conversations, visit truesdellwealth.com and subscribe at no cost.Due to our extensive holdings and our clients, you should assume that we have a position in all companies discussed and that a conflict of interest exists. By listening, reading, or using this document, video, podcast, and/or website in any manner, you understand the information presented is provided for informational purposes only and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Public and group informational items should never be considered professional advice. Nothing said, written, or otherwise communicated should be construed as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell a security. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. We do not provide tax, legal, or psychological advice.   Nothing herein constitutes advice or is a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read, viewed, heard, or thought you saw or heard. Paul Grant Truesdell, J.D., AIF, CLU, ChFC, RFCFounder & CEOThe Truesdell CompaniesThe Truesdell Professional Building200 NW 52nd AvenueOcala, Florida 34482352-612-1000 or 212-433-2525 truesdell.net