Wisdom for Money...Wisdom for Life

Money and life are virtually inseparable. This is why the first Wisdom for the Weekend of 2026 is located at the intersection of money and life. Always remember — every decision you make about money affects your life, and every decision about life affects...you got it...money.

So — how do we make 2026 a great year, regardless of what happens to stock prices? Personally, I've been studying the habits of high performers in the areas of music, sports, writing and coaching. What stands out about top performers is a commitment to the unique daily disciplines of their craft. By focusing on these disciplines (which they can control) and not the results of their work (which they cannot control) it helps the best of the best to perform at their best.

Their best is really achieved in the crucible of the tough, daily work — like gold refined by fire — that ultimately produces the results. As O'Connor Financial Group is now in its 35th year, I believe the story of our company is a good example of these principles that provide application for all.

Our Story

I became a financial advisor by accident. As a kid, one of the volunteer coaches in my grade school sports program was a financial advisor. I knew nothing about his work except that he seemed to have a lot of financial freedom. I wanted that for me and I wanted it for others.

The problem was that at the time it was a commission only business — no sales, no income. It seemed risky. I was scared, but my financial advisor and part time coach convinced me that if I applied discipline to certain things daily, that I would succeed.

Over the course of 5-10 years, my business was established and growing at a robust pace. I had learned that not only was it a risk worth taking, but that the only risk was really in not taking one. I learned that early and applied it to very good results until...

By the year 2020, our business had plateaued. Then in 2021, we had the opportunity to hire Daniel Westergaard — our current Chief Investment Officer and a member of our Advisor Team. He and Jack hatched an idea to take control of the management of our investment process — something I had always been interested in, but always resisted. It would require significant investment of money and time. Again, it was like starting up all those years ago. It was risky. We looked at it long and hard. We prayed. We did it. What happened next, I wouldn't have believed if someone told me in advance. Our assets under management and revenue doubled in five years. Again, the takeaway for us was:

Over the many years, we've built a practice whose foundation is investing in the great companies. A practice some see as "risky." What we've come to know is that it's actually far riskier to exclude companies in favor of the "safety" of fixed income like Certificates of Deposits (CDs) because CDs and fixed interest bonds do not protect against the biggest risk of all — that inflation can destroy the purchasing power of your money.

Like the top performers in the industries I mentioned earlier, we follow a well defined process. By following a management process refined by many wise people over many decades by dedicated professionals, we know that our process will produce positive outcomes over time. That's why our clients succeed! So focus on inputs and results will take care of themselves. We've focused on inputs for 35 years. It works. If you're not doing this for yourself, ask us how.

Two Words for 2026

Never lose sight of margin. It's what got me through the early lean years of this business. Margin is simply the discipline of keeping a tight reign of expenses, so as to always have a cushion of income and assets that will sustain you even in economic downturns. Need help reestablishing your margin? Call us.

And our mantra — never forget it: always remember that the growth capability of investing in the great companies can never be separated from their frequent, yet temporary declines! I will be eternally grateful to Nick Murray for this perspective.

One More Thing

If money is ever starting to creep into your conscious thoughts in such a way that it's bringing along unwanted baggage such as stress and anxiety, try the following:

Intentionally practice kindness and generosity. Daily. That's everyday. Be kind to someone — daily. Appreciate someone — with words that come out of your mouth — daily. Affirmations, appreciations, you know them. Do them. Kindness is a form of generosity that anyone can practice — and it doesn't cost a dime.

So practice the generosity of kindness. That is the basic prescription. The next level? Consider giving money to someone, something or a cause you appreciate.

It's hard to find someone who practices kindness and generosity in need of anything, or anxious about money. There's an old saying that Dale Carnegie found, cut out and posted on his mirror so as to see it every day. Might be a good idea for us:

I shall pass this way but once; any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show any human being, let me do it now, let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

Thanks for reading,
Tim O'Connor