How to Build Your Family Fortress, Ep #156

How do you build your family fortress? I talk about cornerstones often, including how to figure out what yours are and how to build abundance within them. Your family is one of—if not THE—most important cornerstone in your life. But what do I mean by building your family fortress? How do you do it? Listen to this episode of Best in Wealth to learn more!

Outline of This Episode

• [1:02] My dream of being a coach
• [3:43] Build your family fortress
• [7:26] The family cornerstone
• [8:16] The Single Page Life Plan
• [9:26] Determine your mission statement
• [10:32] What are your top cornerstones?
• [11:27] Actionable steps in the SMART goal format
• [18:42] Spend time building your family fortress

Building abundance in your cornerstones

If you are listening to this podcast, you are likely your family steward. You handle the finances. You need to build abundance in your cornerstones to build your family fortress. It is why I call my business the “Fortress Planning Group.” Building your fortress is not all about money. But money is the fuel to help you build abundance.

We have some castles scattered in our office to remind our clients that our job is to help you build your fortress so you can feel peace and security. We handle your financial cornerstone to allow you to concentrate on your family.

It is not about overly-focusing on one cornerstone. You cannot lose sight of all the others. Friends are important, but you cannot spend all of your time with them at the expense of your family. You need to build balance within the cornerstones.

Place your family first

Some people place their spirituality first—which is understandable—but family is usually the most important cornerstone. Are they the most important thing in your life? Your spouse and kids? Your parents? Siblings? If the answer is yes (and it is to a lot of people) let’s build abundance there. To do that, you need to build a plan around it.

The book “Single Page Life Plan” says that people who do not care where they are going do not need a roadmap. But I recognize the value of adding direction to my life and setting a course that aims my family toward our dreams and aspirations. Builders need an architectural plan. Pilots need a flight plan. CEOs need to build a business plan. Coaches need a game plan. Leaders need a life plan. We are the leaders of our family and are responsible as a family steward to build a plan. So how do you do that?

The single page life plan process

What does the process of crafting a life plan look like? Here is the single page life plan framework:

• Start with a mission statement. For example, “Be a positive influence in the lives of others at home and at work. Lead by example.”
• Secondly, you list your life categories (or what I call cornerstones): Family, friends, spirituality, health, career, finances, hobbies/interests, travel and entertainment, etc. Everyone’s cornerstones are different. You just need to nail down 6 cornerstones.
• Under each cornerstone, you need to list actionable steps to take following the SMART goal format (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely).

The plan that you are making should be well thought out by you. Here are some examples from the book:

• Schedule time with your spouse: Life gets busy. It is necessary to make sure you are giving your spouse intentional time together.
• Prepare and eat meals together: Plan and cook fun meals with your family.
• Continually strengthen your marriage: I use an app called “Lasting” which is geared towards strengthening your marriage. It helps you work through conflict, communication, trust, money, etc.  You read, respond, and take quizzes to strengthen your marriage.
• Provide spiritual leadership: Keep your family on track. Make sure you are going to church or watch church together online.
• Be present in your kid’s lives: Make an effort to attend and be present for your kid’s activities. Put ball games, plays, recitals, parent-teacher conferences, etc, in your schedule. Look for activities for the whole family to participate in (i.e. board games or a movie night).
• Visit your parents or siblings: The greatest thing that came out of the pandemic was a weekly Zoom call with my family every Sunday. Starting something like this strengthens the whole family.
• Go on family vacations: It can be a week away or a simple weekend camping trip. It is important to spend time together as a family.

Start being intentional with the most important cornerstone in your life and build abundance in your family cornerstone. Do not regret the time that you have not had together. Learn more about the topic by listening to the whole episode!

Resources Mentioned

• Single Page Life Plan
• Lasting marriage health app
• Setting SMART Goals

Connect With Scott Wellens

• Schedule a discovery call with Scott
• Send a message to Scott
• Visit Fortress Planning Group
• Connect with Scott on LinkedIn
• Follow Scott on Twitter
• Fortress Planning Group on Facebook

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Podcast Disclaimer:

The Best In Wealth Podcast is hosted by Scott Wellens. Scott Wellens is the principal at Fortress Planning Group. Fortress Planning Group is a registered investment advisory firm regulated by the Securities Act of Wisconsin in accordance and compliance with securities laws and regulations. Fortress Planning Group does not render or offer to render personalized investment or tax advice through the Best In Wealth Podcast. The information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, investment or legal advice.

About the author, Scott Wellens

Scott Wellens, CFP® is an investment advisor and founder of Fortress Planning Group. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Scott quickly ascended to become a Vice President of North American Sales at a major regional provider of telecommunications infrastructure. While financially successful in this role, Scott searched for ways to pursue his passion related to financial literacy and providing financial freedom for both his own family and others. During his search, Scott became curious about the significant gap he found in the financial services sector: he was unable to find a comprehensive financial planner that maintained a family stewardship lens without being attached to financial products. Scott decided to fill that gap by creating his own planning firm that maintains a strong passion for comprehensive, unbiased wealth planning that is genuinely client-centered.

Scott resides in Menomonee Falls, WI with his family. He is the father of three active and independent daughters who keep him on his toes. Scott is an active community member, serving on the Hamilton Education Foundation Board, serves as a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace facilitator and leads the All Pro Dad’s group at their local elementary school. Scott enjoys spending his free time visiting state parks with his family, reading, and watching the Milwaukee Bucks and the Green Bay Packers win ball games.

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