As a wise person once said, “We more often need to be reminded than instructed.”

I thought of that while watching my sons deliver a presentation of Young and Motivated recently. It was the last time they would do it – the program is wrapping up – but it was the first time I had an opportunity to see it firsthand, which made it a bittersweet moment for me, and I was surprised by how inspired I was by the message. As I discovered, you don't have to be young to be motivated by Young and Motivated.

What really hit home for me was the discussion about focusing on the “rocks” in our lives – the things that should be the high-value priorities in our schedules, our relationships and our finances. If you don't attend to the rocks first, you won't find room for them later. That's just the way life works.

It's a message I'm familiar with – it's one I have delivered myself, and I helped adapt it for the Young and Motivated program – but as I sat there, I realized there were areas of my life where I had allowed some “slippage” and had allowed some important rocks to get crowded out. Maybe it took the sight of my sons on stage to drive home the point again; but the fact is, I resolved right there to re-examine my priorities again. I resolved to make sure I was leading a “rock-first” life. I just needed the reminder.

Then I saw these notes, taken by a delightful 12-year old participant named Isabella.

She had obviously connected with the economic benefits of getting your rocks in order. If only most kids did. If only most young people would understand that, by putting away 20 percent of whatever they take in, they are creating something meaningful and lasting. We would see a generation of financially secure, independent young people.

I can speak from experience here. I was lucky enough to be put in touch with a wise financial advisor when I was fairly young. The simple lessons I learned from him ended up opening up a world of opportunities for me in the years to come.

This is all-important stuff for young people to learn as soon as possible. But as I discovered, it's also important stuff for all of us to remind ourselves of, even into middle age and beyond.

That's why I have decided to let Young and Motivated live on, in a way. In the weeks ahead, I'm going to share some key thoughts from that great program. After all, you may not be young anymore, but it's never too late to be motivated.


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