Presented with Opportunity

Now that most of us have already blown our diets and other New Year resolutions, is there something of the determination we felt just a few weeks ago that we can grab a hold of and use in our lives and careers?

I think there is indeed a lesson for those of us who are scarred by the market whiplash of 2009 and anxious about what 2010 will bring. And even for those who scored big in last year’s recovery rally and are dreamily anticipating the next notch on their belt, I think there is a lesson as well.

In fact, it is the same lesson — namely, that there are two things that can be very damaging to your finances, mental well-being or relationships with clients and family alike, and they are: the past and the future.

Probably all of you have clients wounded by the plunging market who don’t want to get near equities again. They are haunted by the past. But let’s say you had the foresight to buy distressed financial companies at the market bottom in 2009 and you tripled your investment. Mere single digit-returns or losses in 2010 could seem inadequate if you allow glories of the past to frame your present.

This happens outside of work as well. Married life has its ups and downs. Whether you’ve been married 50 days or 50 years (40 for this publisher), you probably don’t feel like you did on your honeymoon. And that is fine and good as long as you’re not measuring your marriage by the standard of your honeymoon.