Mastering Your Financial Plan Through Soccer

With just days to go to kick-off this could be a good time to kick start your personal financial "Game".

Financial Planning "Soccer" Rules:

1. Prior to any financial game it is recommended that you understand the origins of the game through educating yourself.

The origin of football / soccer can be found in every corner of geography and history. The Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Ancient Greek, Persian, Viking, and many more played a ball game long before our era. The Chinese played "football" games dated as far back as 3000 years ago. The Ancient Greeks and the Roman used football games to sharpen warriors for battle. In south and Central America a game called "Tlatchi" once flourished. But it was in England that soccer really begun to take shape. The first Football Association was founded in England in 1863.

2. The next step is to learn and understand the rules of the game. It is often easier with the help of a trained coach who will be able address the variables of your situation as you begin planning your game. Although, most coaches will often present compelling theories and studies on investing. Make sure that yours comes from experience gained in the mud of the "marketplace" and from working with real people as clients.

The game is played on a rectangular grass or artificial turf field, with a goal in the centre of each of the short ends. The object of the game is to score by driving the ball into the opposing goal. In general play, the goalkeepers are the only players allowed to use their hands or arms to propel the ball; the rest of the team usually use their feet to kick the ball into position, occasionally using their torso or head to intercept a ball in midair. The team that scores the most goals by the end of the match wins.

3. Develop and create a game "goal orientated financial planning scoring strategy".

The key to victory goes beyond just putting the best players on the field. Soccer is a thinking person's game because it is about achieving goals by scoring and involves tactics beyond just beating the other team with speed, strength or hustle. A mix of those three qualities in defense ["Emergency Savings, Risk Cover [Life, Disability, Severe Illness, Medical Aid and Wills], midfield [Holiday, Property, Education …etc Funds] and Forwards [Long Term Investment Goal e.g.: Retirement Planning] is crucial to success, but is still only one piece of the formula. A layered strategy with the ability to change plans of attack quickly is essential.

4. To play the game. Agree to the rules, and carry out the game plan recommendations of your "coach".

The fundamental role of all coaches is to provide a safe and educational playing environment for the players. This is the basic tenet of all coaches and players put their trust in their coaches that they have the best interests of the players at heart regardless of their playing ability. The coach with a vast and deep reservoir of convergent thinking will be able to draw on those experiences when faced with tactical soccer decisions, player personnel questions, or being administratively nimble.

5. Playing the Game. Do not be swayed by the crowd's emotional needs for "instant gratification". If you realise that during the match your team selection might not meet your financial goals, never be scared to adjust your goals. This might include substituting recommendations.

The object of the game is to win. If your coach is not satisfied with your performance on the soccer field, you may be replaced by some other player on the bench (substitute) during the course of the game. The maximum allowed amount of substitutions is in most competitive international and domestic league three but this number may vary. Usually the reasons for a substitution include injury, tiredness, ineffective, tactical switch or time wasting at the end of a finely poised soccer game.

6. Post Match financial analysis and evaluating your respective position. Determined what worked and what didn't! Re-identify your risks and re-balance investments in line with your financial goals, in order to meet your ultimate long term financial planning goals.

Revise your strategy as needed. It's good to review your strategy after every game. Determining what worked and what didn't gives you a framework for constantly improving your game. Be prepared to modify your strategy when necessary. A good strategic plan takes factors that can't be controlled--like the weather and ground conditions--into consideration.

Although soccer is a game it can easily be equated to the world of financial planning. The goal is to win through the use of discipline and strategy. Financial planning requires the same strategic disciplined thinking on the part of "players and coaches".

Herewith a very useful calendar to view the world cup by team / venue / group: http://www.marca.com/deporte/futbol/mundial/sudafrica-2010/calendario-english.html

Silke Financial Services are skilled risk and investment strategy consultants that provide a unique service offering not available elsewhere in the marketplace