Eagles Didn't Sign Kiko For One Year

Eagles Didn't Sign Kiko For One Year

by: Brendan Magee


Perhaps no story defines the Eagles season better than the trade involving star running back Lesean McCoy. The Eagles traded all time leading running back Shady McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso.They gave up so much proven talent to get back a linebacker who this season was far from productive. No doubt, if the trade involved just this one year, the Eagles are the loser. They should simply cut Alonso and move on.

However, I do not believe the Eagles made the trade with just this one year in mind. They most likely made the trade with the next five to seven years in mind, and this is where the Eagles need to be very careful and investors can learn a valuable lesson.

How many teams in history made quick judgements on players and lived to regret it? Does the name Johnny Unitas ring a bell? The Pittsburgh Steelers cut him.They only showed who may have been the greatest quarterback in history the door after a tryout. How about Ryne Sandberg? The Phillies let a future all star second baseman go to the Chicago Cubs for nothing and didn't get a good second baseman until Chase Utley arrived some 25 to 30 years later.

Now, I don't know if Alonso will turn into the next Lawrence Taylor or Izel Jenkins (Remember Toast?), but I know that it is too early to say one way or the other. The Eagles need to have patience and not give into impulse roster moves.

No doubt remembering and living by decisions that are supposed to play out over a long period of time can be difficult. The grass always seems to be greener and going for the quick fix is tempting, but there is a reason teams like the Steelers have multiple Super Bowls and are always competitive. They do the best job of sticking to fundamentally sound principles, not the latest and greatest fad. Have you ever known a Steelers team that didn't block and tackle well?

The same lessons need to be remembered by investors. 

There is a reason why the overwhelming majority of investors struggle with investing. They make decisions that are meant to be played out over 25 to 30 years and if expectations are not met within a one, two,or at best a three year period of time, changes have to be made to their portfolios.

"My friend's fund got 20% last year and I only did 8%! To hell with this! I want his broker's phone number." "We just got back from Disney and the place was packed. I am loading up on Disney stock. How can I lose?" "The past two years I haven't earned a penny and my broker is earning how much in fees?  What a thief!"

Now when the impulses and emotions get the better of us, what is sold? The under performing investment is out the door and what I buy is the five star fund or the hot stock. Now when that tanks the whole process is repeated and the investor's financial future is in a death spiral. When in the heat of the moment, the wrong move always seems to be the right one.

Statistics show that the average investor is barely breaking even with the rising cost of living in the past 20 to 25 years. It's not the market that is broken! Investors are consistently doing the wrong thing at the wrong time.

So how do investors get out of their own way? First, admit policing their own behaviors is too big of a task. They get engaged in a conversation for prudent long-term investing with a like-minded group of people. I can't tell you how much better I do when I work out with people who are committed to health and fitness.

As an investor, you need to tap into the power of a group rather than go it alone. You need to share when you are wavering from what you know is the right thing to do and ask for help. Know that there are people out there who profit from you doing the wrong  thing at the wrong time and they are experts in the art of seduction. You will never see them coming and holding them off will be a life long job.

The Eagles and investors need to know that there emotions will always be there. You can't get away from them. They will always make the wrong seem right and you can always find people who support the wrong decision. They profit from it. When it comes to championships and financial security it will take the opposite of what you are seeing to come out ahead.

Brendan Magee is the founder and president of Inevitable Wealth Coaching. With questions or comments e-mail brendan@coachgee.com or call 610-446-4322. For additional educational info go to www.coachgee.com.