For USC Football & Investors, Surrender Is The Right Move

Surrendering, Sometimes Makes The Most Sense

by: Brendan Magee

If you are a college football fan, you must have some idea of the drama unfolding with the University of Southern California football team. Their head coach, Steve Sarkasion, was just fired. Over the past several months it has become obvious to everyone associated with the team that Sarkasion has a drinking problem that has gotten out of control. You don't show up for work at such a prestigious football program drunk, unless you have a serious alcohol problem.

As opposed to putting Sarkasion on administrative leave, Athletic Director Pat Hayden, opted to fire Sarkasion and make a clean break for the school and Sarkasion. As sad as it is to see someone lose a position like that, admitting that the problem has gotten out of hand and cannot be dealt with using the same old-same-old methods, is most likely the best way to allow Sarkasion to deal with his problem. In essence, Sarkasion and the school are surrendering to the problem. They are not giving up. They are just acknowledging that the problem has gotten too big to handle on their own.

Investors, in a lot of cases, would do well to learn from Sarkasion. They often times dig their heels in and by the sheer force of their will believe their problems will go away. How many investors are engaged in strategies they really do not understand? How many investors have suffered through massive losses, only to try and pick up the pieces, virtually, using the same strategies that caused the losses in the first place? How many are investing, but do not have the first clue about how markets really work? How many cannot tell the real difference between investing and gambling?

Yet, many investors with their retirement and financial security hanging in the balance, plow ahead and hope and pray for the best. Some times you just have to say, "Stop! I don't really know what I am doing. I need help!" It's not a sign of weakness or a lack of intelligence. It's actually an expression of wisdom and courage. You will be amazed at the breakthrough you can have when you surrender to your problems and get the help you need.

Brendan Magee is the founder and president of Inevitable Wealth Coaching. With comments e-mail brendan@coachgee.com or call 610-446-4322.