Which is More Important - the Long Game or the Short Game?

POSTED FEBRUARY 18, 2020

by Dr David Phelps

by Dr David Phelps

I

n golf, is it more important to focus on the long game or the short game – putting on the green or finishing up that long shot? Golfers may have a bias toward one of these areas, but both are necessary to complete your game.
 In real life, we tend to focus more on the short game: what we need to do on a day-to-day basis to keep our lives and businesses running.

Then there’s the long game, which means looking ahead at least 1-5 years. I’ve always been a long game person, looking out at least 5-10 years. You have to have both. But is one more important than the other?

Let’s look at it another way: 

Why do we go out into life and start our careers and practices? Well, primarily to make money – transactional income. And then we’re taught to be prudent: not to overextend ourselves, and to save money for a rainy day (or just in general).

This is where most people fall short. They’ll play the short game all the way: “Let’s make the money, spend it, have the fun and all the things we think we deserve.” 

The long game, however, is investing your money – and learning how to do it well. Very few people focus on this, and it requires more study and more intention. Yet, we don’t want to do it because “it’s so far away… I can get to it someday. Hopefully it will all work out.” 

The long game is very, very important. You need to commit to taking action on it.

Usually, that means putting yourself around other people who are also interested in the long game, and have experience on that road – on how to hit the long ball, and how to offset changes in the course or weather patterns.

How do you hit the ball better and circumvent those situations? How do you overcome the inevitable miss-hits and get back on course again? Certainly not by trying to figure it out in a vacuum. The most important thing you can do once you’ve achieved your position in life, is to get around other people who will help you with that long game.

You’ve got to have both, but if you focus only on the short game and put off the long game for another day...there will be consequences. So avoid those consequences, and find the long-game people.
To your freedom!

P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are some other ways I can help fast track you to your Freedom goal (you’re closer than you think) :

1. Get Your Free Retirement Scorecard:

Benchmark your retirement and wealth-building against hundreds of other practice professionals, and get personalized feedback on your biggest opportunities and leverage points. Go to www.FreedomFounders.com/Scorecard to take the 3 minute assessment and get your scorecard.

2. Attend A Workshop:

If you’re committed to Freedom, but still building a practice, paying down school debt, or growing investment capital, our hands-on Freedom Blueprint Workshops are your entrance ramp onto the fast track! Visit www.freedomfounders.com/workshop to claim your seat!

3. Apply To Visit The Mastermind:

If you’d like to join dozens of dentists, docs, and practice professionals on the fast track to Freedom (3-5 years or less), visit www.freedomfounders.com/step-1 to apply for a guest seat.

4. Want to Work Directly with Me?

If you’d like to work directly with me and a small group of my closest investment colleagues, with direct access to the dealmakers and asset classes that I invest in, just send a message to my Member Advisor (Chris@freedomfounders.com), and put “Fast Access” in the subject line. Or, call (972) 203-6960 Ext 101 and leave a brief voicemail for Chris. Let him know you’re interested in the Fast Access program – we’ll set up a time with you to talk, find out about your goals, and see if there is a fit.

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