October 6, 2025

When You Catch the Lizard

When I was young, we had a dog named Micki. Micki was a rather small, playful mutt who loved spending hours in the backyard. His favorite pastime was hunting for lizards—a target-rich activity in Florida.

My mother's plants didn’t stand a chance with Micki diving face first into one shrub after another. The funny thing about his hunting was that he never seemed fast enough to actually catch his prey. Until that one fortunate—or unfortunate—day, depending on your perspective.

I was there, watching Micki stalk the lizard and, as usual, dive into a plant. But this time, he caught the poor lizard. This was something new for Micki, and in that moment, he realized he had no idea what to do. After all those hours of chasing and diving from plant to plant, he had no clue what should come next. Eventually, he just let the lizard go, realizing that the chase itself was the real fun.

Micki’s story offers more than just a laugh—it’s a metaphor for how many people experience their own financial journeys. Just as Micki spent years chasing lizards and finally caught one, many of us dedicate countless hours and effort to reaching financial security. But like Micki, who suddenly wondered what to do next, we often find ourselves asking: “Now that I’ve reached my financial goals, what’s my next purpose?” The chase kept Micki energized and engaged; once he succeeded, the real challenge was finding joy and meaning beyond the pursuit itself.

This transition from striving to fulfillment is where financial planning truly becomes personal. Achieving financial security is a major milestone—it’s your “caught lizard.” Yet, the question remains: What do you want your life to look like now? How do you move from simply having enough to living with intention and excitement?

“There are no second acts in American Life.”

The writer F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote his famous quote, but unfortunately, he died before publishing the novel in which it was meant to appear. Most people interpret this statement as meaning that a person’s failures determine their future, but I believe we can also view it through the lens of someone not knowing how to turn one success into another.

Imposter syndrome can certainly be an issue. Deep down, you know there are many ways your story could have turned out differently. A small decision here or there, and what looks like success today might have easily been failure. “Maybe I don’t deserve this large amount of money?”

To the outside world, your success is determined by the visible payoff. How much did you get when you sold the company, cashed in restricted stock, or finally sold the property you have owned for so long only to finally have someone appreciate it enough to pay your asking price? What others don’t see are the compromises you made—the long hours at work, the financial decisions, and the sacrifices you endured to reach this opportunity.

For you, the question lingers: "Who am I as a person apart from my role as a successful businessperson?" "Is my checking account now how I and others will identify me?"

To bridge this gap, we turn to visioning—a process that helps you clarify what matters most and sparks new possibilities for your future. In their book “Helping People Change,” Boyatzis, Smith, and Van Oosten introduce the concept of the Positive Emotional Attractor (PEA), a state triggered when you imagine the best version of your life. Activating the PEA doesn’t just boost motivation; it opens you up to fresh ideas and helps you reconnect with your personal dreams.

As you can imagine, the structure of these financial planning meetings is not built around problem-solving. We are exploring what truly excites you. These vision questions can also help articulate what you are looking for from your financial planner. As your partner, we can support the life you envision – helping you align your resources with what matters most to you.

Questions that can help you in this “second act” might be as simple as:

• "What new goals or dreams have you been considering?"

• "If money weren’t an obstacle, what would you change about your life?"

• "What changes or improvements would make you feel more fulfilled?"

• "What is something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t pursued?"

• "How can we use your financial plan to support experiences that bring you joy?"

Once we have identified a vision, we can look at the situation through a SWOT analysis:

  • Strengths: Assess who you are now.
  • Weaknesses: Consider what might hinder you moving forward.
  • Opportunities: Identify areas that look promising.
  • Threats: Be mindful of external factors that may influence your decisions.

As you consider your own “second act,” remember: the journey doesn’t end with financial security. Instead, it’s an invitation to explore new passions, set meaningful goals, and use your resources to support a life that brings you fulfillment. Financial planning isn’t just about numbers—it’s about helping you live the life you’ve always imagined.  

Be well,