Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Reasons to Sell or Short-Sell Stocks and Other Investments

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

This article is about some of the factors a disciplined investor considers when deciding whether or not to sell or short-sell stocks and other investments. Short-selling is a practice where an investor borrows shares of a stock or other investments, with the anticipation that prices will fall, and buys them later at hopefully lower prices. If the prices rise instead then the investor loses money. I’m not fond of short-selling myself, but at least wanted to share it since the factors that influence when to sell stocks or other investments are often some of the same factors an investor might consider when short-selling.

If you follow my stock market activities then you know that I have done quite a bit of selling lately and am now completely out of the stock market. From a seasonal standpoint, November is typically the time to buy (and not sell) stocks since the highest gains typically occur between November and April so you might question why I decided to sell out of this market. Well, there were two primary reasons: 1) I bought into the mid September-to-mid October market slump where the stock market lost nearly 10% and since then the stock market has gained over 11% over a period of about 3 weeks or so which is about a year and a half gain (on average) over a period of weeks. 2) My year end “stretch” goal for my investment account was 12% and I gained 16% as of Friday which is over a two year gain on average. When the overall market bottomed in mid-October, and I kept buying into it, my investment account was at a 6% loss, so it has risen 22% since then. Rather than continue taking risk I sold what I had to realize this gain and await an overall market pullback or other compelling investment opportunities before putting my cash to work.

Below are factors that I frequently consider when evaluating whether or not to sell shares of stocks or other investments that I’m holding at the time:

(1) Technical charts and indicators approaching extreme levels. For example, if you take a look at the slow stochastics chart below, at the bottom of the chart, for the S&P 500 Index (SPX) you can see that the lines are above 80 which indicates, from a statistical perspective, that the stock is overbought and is due for for a pullback. In addition, in the top chart, the prices are approaching the upper Bollinger Band at ~ 2067, another statistical indicator, which is perhaps even more concerning due to the significant widening of the upper and lower bands associated with the extreme price declines and the rapid recovery between 19 September and 7 November. I typically look at a variety of charts and indicators and generally take a “weighted average” across those that appear to best reflect the “personality” of the stocks or other investments that I am tracking to aid in “buy” and “sell” decision making. Tracking the S&P 500 Index (SPX) is a good index to track, because about 60% of stocks rise when the SPX rises and about 80% of stocks decline when the SPX falls. So the SPX is worth paying attention to.

Chart courtesy of stocks.com

Chart courtesy of stocks.com

(2) Stocks or other investments rising significantly above their means. Stocks tend to be mean reverting over time so prices significantly above or below the mean(s) tend to reverse and revert back to the means at some point.

(3) Stock prices approaching or exceeding their 1 year price targets. Analysts generally provide 12 month price targets for the stocks that they cover and they revise these over time. As such, it is likely that prices approaching or exceeding their 1 year price targets will have limited upside unless significant upside revisions are made by the analysts that cover the stock at some point in the future.

(4) Stocks or other investments which previously declined significantly, but have since nearly reverted back to their means or have recovered nicely from their previous declines.

(5) Stocks or other investments which previously gapped down significantly on a decline begin “filling in the gap”.

(6) Prices approaching resistance zones represented by moving averages or trend analyses.

(7) The percentage gain to date. I always try to lock-in a good gain when I see one even if the other indicators I look at are favorable towards the stocks or other investments that I am holding. This allows me to have cash available to take advantage of any other investment opportunities which might become highly favorable, in the future, in terms of the indicators that I generally look at to evaluate stocks. I typically consider about 7% per year to be an average annual return in the stock market although far above average returns have been observed in the past few years. It is likely, however, that annual gains will begin reverting back to their means at some point in the future.

(8) The risk-reward indicators that I generally look at become unfavorable in nature such as some of the factors indicated above or some of the fundamental indicators that I frequently look at.

(9) Other investment opportunities start becoming much more favorable than some of the ones I’m holding, but I am fully invested and have no cash on hand at the time to take advantage of these opportunities. When this happens I look to sell some of the stocks that I’m holding to free up cash so that I might capitalize on these other potentially more compelling opportunities.

(10) Reaching or exceeding my ultimate or year end target goals for my overall investment account. Anytime that you begin approaching your ultimate or year end target goals this should prompt you to reduce your stock market exposure to manage your risk.

Each of the above are indications that it might make sense to sell some shares; especially when two or more of these factors are present. Selling shares when such opportunities arise allows you to effectively manage risk and have cash available to take advantage of future compelling investment opportunities.

Being a disciplined investor involves tracking multiple investment alternatives and taking actions to capitalize on those which become highly favorable investment opportunities over time and exiting those which become less favorable. By periodically rotating out of investments which become less favorable and into investment opportunities which become more favorable in nature you will realize consistent gains over time. You won’t make winning investments all of the time, but the point is to use strategies and techniques which allow you to make winning investments for much of the time

This article informs some of the factors a disciplined investor considers when deciding whether or not to sell or short-sell stocks and other investments. Part of being a successful investor, and realizing consistent gains over time, involves recognizing indicators of when to reduce your stock market exposure, and risk overall, by selling shares of stocks or other investments.

Please contact me if you need any assistance with any of your financial planning, management, and/or investing needs as this is one of the areas that I actively perform life coaching and training in. Also feel free to click on “Financial Planning, Management, and Investing Related Posts” on the sidebar to the right or below (depending on which device you are using)  for helpful tips on how to become a solid investor.

Other articles that I’ve written related to financial planning, management, and investing include:

(1) Risk: How Much Should You Take When Investing Your Money?
(2) Using Technical Indicators and Charts to Guide Stock Market Activities and Using Price Averaging to Manage Risk
(3) Using Bollinger Bands, Stochastics, and Other Indicators to Guide Stock Market Activities
(4) Using Moving Averages and Price Averaging to Realize Consistent Gains in the Stock Market

These articles provide helpful tips on how to become a solid investor so read through some of these if you think they might be helpful to you. In addition, in case some of you would like to follow along, here is where I regularly post about my stock market activities. So feel free to visit this page if you’d like to follow what I’m doing in the stock market at any given time.

For those that did not know, I generally perform life coaching and training services in two primary areas: 1) Personal and Professional Improvement, Development, and Growth, and 2) Financial Planning, Management, and Investing. As such, I generally alternate the articles that I write via my blogs between these two topic areas. This particular article is associated with the second area that I life coach in. So if you don’t have much interest in financial planning, management, and investing, rest assured that the next article that I write will be in the area that you might have greater interest in; the personal and professional improvement, development, and growth area. You can also follow me on Twitter if you like at: Joseph M Brennan Jr @ BrighterDaysLC

 

Joseph M. Brennan Jr.
CEO/Life Coach – Brighter Days Life Coaching
“Your Brighter Days Life Coach for Life”

6-27-2013BrennanPhotos-Main1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make a Bad Day Better
Make a Good Day Better
Create a Brighter Life

☆°▪︎ YOUR SMILING SECRET ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

took

.

a

.

swim

.

.

into

.

t

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deep . . .

–

–

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.

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.

w

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someone

else,

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not

me . . .

–

–

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Someone

.

e

l

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seeking

.

t

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find

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release . . .

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Someone

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dealing

.

s

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other

.

life

.

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lead . . .

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Someone

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who

.

nearly

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drowned,

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within

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memories . . .

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memories . . .

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all,

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.

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each,

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everything,

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.

could

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h

a

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.

been . . .

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.

.

.

 ~ all,

.

.

a

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d

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each,

.

.

a

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d

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.

everything,

.

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y

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u

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could

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h

a

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been . . .

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o

–

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me . . .

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.

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else,

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.

not

me . . .

–

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.

.

It

.

w

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else,

.

.

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not

me . . .

–

–

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.

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else,

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.

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me . . .

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.

.

f

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r

–

–

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here

.

y

o

u

.

are . . .

–

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.

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 ~ your

secret

smiling,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

still

breathing

–

–

next

.

t

o

.

me . . .

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ your

secret

smiling,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

heart

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

beating . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ still

beating

.

i

n

.

the

peaceful,

–

–

sleepy

ease . . .

–

–

–

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.

.

 ~ in

.

t

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e

.

peaceful,

–

–

sleepy

tease

.

o

f

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what

.

a

.

future

.

m

i

g

h

t

.

bring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

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took

.

a

.

swim

.

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

deep . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

took

.

a

.

swim

.

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

deep . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

took

.

a

.

swim

.

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

deep . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

although

.

y

o

u

.

might

.

otherwise

believe,

–

–

there’s

.

n

o

.

need

.

t

o

.

take

heed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no

need

.

t

o

.

worry

.

a

b

o

u

t

.

what

.

t

h

e

.

secret

.

m

i

g

h

t

.

bring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

took

.

a

.

swim

.

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

deep . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

took

.

a

.

swim

.

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

deep . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

took

.

a

.

swim

.

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

deep . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

it

.

w

a

s

. 

someone

else,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

not

me.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in November of 2014 falls where the affected party struggles with internal and external demons – and just cannot seem to break the negative cycle. We get the feeling this will be a lifelong, all-consuming struggle, and that the affected party may never be able to escape the forces of struggle and darkness – and that anyone he or she comes into close contact with might suffer from the same.

☆°▪︎ WHEN LONELINESS CRIED ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

It

.

w

a

s

.

wintertime,

–

–

when

.

t

h

e

.

barren

echoes

.

o

f

.

loneliness

cried,

–

–

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

ruthless,

–

–

unforgiving

skies

.

o

f

.

bitter,

–

–

chastising

winds

.

a

n

d

.

cold-hearted

ice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

shivered . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

shivered

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

lie . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

t

–

–

–

it

.

w

a

s

.

for

me

.

t

o

.

decide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

.

i

t

.

was

.

f

o

r

.

me

.

t

o

.

decide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

hide

.

a

.

life,

–

–

using

words

.

t

h

a

t

.

were

.

n

o

t

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ to

hide

.

a

.

life,

–

–

without

considering

.

t

h

e

.

reasons

why . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

created

.

a

.

n

e

w

.

design

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

mimicked

.

a

n

d

.

rhymed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

created

.

a

.

n

e

w

.

design

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

fit

.

s

o

.

well,

–

–

within

.

t

h

e

.

coloring

.

b

o

o

k

.

lines . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

shivered . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

shivered

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

lie . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

t

–

–

–

it

.

w

a

s

.

for

me

. 

t

o

.

decide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

.

time,

.

.

w

h

e

n

.

.

carefree

fun,

–

–

play,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

laughter

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

fly

.

s

o

.

free

.

a

n

d

.

carelessly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

free

.

a

n

d

.

carelessly

into

.

t

h

e

.

exhilarating

highs,

–

–

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

promise

.

o

f

.

sunshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

sunshine

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

would

smile

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

.

warmth

.

s

o

.

wide,

.

.

f

r

e

e

.

.

spirits

danced

.

w

i

t

h

.

joy,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

cartwheeled

.

a

l

l

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

summer

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

danced

.

w

i

t

h

.

joy,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

cartwheeled

.

a

l

l

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

summer

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

now

.

i

t

.

was

wintertime.

Reflection: This was a melancholy-themed poem that I wrote back in October of 2014 where the contemplator looks back with regret on living a life within the tight confines of societal norms just to fit in. We get the feeling he or she will never be happy living in that fashion – because living an authentic, “true to yourself,” kind of life – independent of what others think, believe, or try to convince otherwise – is the only way to truly be happy.

☆°▪︎ I APOLOGIZE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

.

place,

–

–

where

.

t

h

e

.

patience

.

o

f

.

time

walked

.

a

.

slow

.

a

n

d

.

steady

pace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ there

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

.

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

rush,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

never

.

f

e

l

l

.

behind,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

.

d

a

y

s

.

seemed

.

t

o

.

s–t–r–e–t–c–h

.

f

o

r

.

miles

.

a

n

d

.

miles,

.

.

a

l

l

.

.

the

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Clear

.

f

r

o

m

.

chaos

.

a

n

d

.

clutter,

–

–

were

.

t

h

e

.

pages

.

o

f

.

my

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

warmly

embracing

.

w

a

s

.

my

heart,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

accepting

were

.

m

y

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Engaging

.

w

a

s

.

my

smile,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

gentle

.

w

a

s

.

my

style . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

towards

others

.

b

a

c

k

.

then,

.

.

I

.

.

c

o

u

l

d

.

never

.

b

e

.

unkind,

–

–

without

considering

.

t

h

e

.

price . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

yes,

.

.

I

.

.

have

.

n

o

w

.

come

.

t

o

.

realize,

.

.

I

.

.

once

lived

.

a

.

wonderful

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

laughter,

–

–

rhyme,

–

– 

fun,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

sunshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

lived

.

a

.

wonderful

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

laughter,

–

–

rhyme,

–

– 

fun,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

sunshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

back

in

.

t

h

e

. 

youthful

paradise

.

o

f

.

joyous,

–

–

carefree

. 

d

a

y

s

.

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ back

.

i

n

.

those

times,

–

–

when

.

I

.

did

.

n

o

t

. 

judge,

.

.

o

r

.

.

cheat,

.

.

o

r

.

.

lie . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

apologize.

Reflection: This was a forgotten reflective-themed gem of a poem that I wrote back in October of 2014 where the contemplator looks back with remorse on a life which started out so wondrously free, carefree, and easy only to reverse somehow without his/her awareness – it was likely the result of small internal and external changes which accumulated over the years and decades. The end of the poem offers an intentional twist which sharply contrasts and conflicts with the rest of the poem.

Creating Healthy Boundaries in Relationship Situations

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

This article is about not only following your heart in relationship situations, but also about mindfully approaching such situations with thought, logic, and reason such that you create and maintain appropriate boundaries when needed. Recently, a series of my life coaching sessions focused on helping someone sort through a personal relationship situation. She had been dating a guy for several months who had always expressed great affection towards her when they spent time together but much to her dismay he, towards the end of that period of time, commented on how much he appreciated her “friendship”.

Now, one thing I frequently tell people, when it comes to personal relationship situations, is that it’s okay to listen to your heart so long as you balance this out, from time to time, with thought, logic, and reason. In other words, feel free to follow your heart to some degree but also keep your eyes open and put some thought into, and reflect upon, your relationship situation from time to time. If someone appears to be discounting or downgrading the relationship that you thought was progressing towards something more formal and less casual, from your perspective, then you must love and respect yourself enough to treat the relationship, and the other person for that matter, differently.

This does not necessarily mean you must end the relationship but that you must decide what works for you in the more casual type of relationship and create the boundaries you need for this relationship “type”. If you decide to proceed towards a more casual relationship, such as a friendship or casual dating situation, then you must make sure you become mindful about whether the other person is respecting your boundaries or not. If not, then you might need to consider ending the relationship until the other party is ready for a more formal relationship with you. Some people do not like casual relationships with certain others and thus the only “healthy” solution for them is to end the relationship completely. Everyone is different. You must do what works for you for whatever relationship situation you are in.

In this particular situation, there was more to the story. The guy had a long distance friendship with another woman but later came to the conclusion that he wanted to pursue a formal long distance relationship with her. So, the next session focused on that. At any point in a relationship situation where such a “decision” is made you must do at least two things: 1) Respect that decision (and yourself for that matter), and perhaps more importantly, 2) Ensure the decision maker has to live with the consequences of that decision until the time that the person decides to re-decide – which could be anything from developing a casual or perhaps no form of relationship with you at all depending on what you can or cannot live with out of love and respect for yourself. The point being that if the “decision maker” never has to live with the consequences of a decision, then the person has no incentive or motivation to ever consider making a different decision at some point in time. One which might involve wanting to be exclusively with you if you still happen to be interested and available at the time.

The above describes one way to mindfully create healthy boundaries in relationship situations by using thought, logic, and reason where needed. I hope that some of you who experience similar struggles will find this to be helpful in living a happier life.

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/ 

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness

 

Joseph M. Brennan Jr.
CEO/Life Coach – Brighter Days Life Coaching
“Your Brighter Days Life Coach for Life”

6-27-2013BrennanPhotos-Main1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make a Bad Day Better
Make a Good Day Better
Create a Brighter Life

 

☆°▪︎ SHY BEHIND THE SMILE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There

.

w

a

s

.

only

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

shy

behind

.

t

h

e

.

smile,

.

.

I

.

.

once

knew

.

a

s

.

a

.

child . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

warmth

–

–

felt

good,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

love,

.

.

i

t

.

.

did

shine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

l

l

–

–

–

across

.

t

h

e

.

valleys

.

o

f

.

my

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

although,

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

distant

.

a

t

.

times . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

still

.

w

a

s

.

kind,

–

–

offering

words

.

o

f

.

hope

.

t

o

.

those

.

temporarily

blind,

–

–

offering

.

a

.

beam

.

o

f

.

sunshine,

.

.

t

h

e

.

.

lost

.

m

i

g

h

t

.

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ offering

.

a

.

beam

.

o

f

.

sunshine,

.

.

t

h

e

.

.

lost

.

m

i

g

h

t

.

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Forgiveness

.

i

s

.

easy,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

acceptance

kind,

–

–

when

.

y

o

u

.

realize,

–

–

everyone

.

i

s

.

a

.

child

.

t

h

a

t

.

gets

lost

.

a

t

.

times . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ everyone,

.

a

.

child

.

t

h

a

t

.

gets

lost

.

i

n

.

life,

.

.

f

r

o

m

.

.

time

.

t

o

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

a

s

.

only

.

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

shy

behind

.

t

h

e

.

smile,

.

.

I

.

.

once

knew

.

a

s

.

a

.

child . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

warmth

–

–

felt

good,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

love,

.

.

i

t

.

.

did

shine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

–

–

–

the

.

d

e

p

t

h

s

.

far

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

 ~ removing

.

t

h

e

.

blindness

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ easing

.

t

h

e

.

worries

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

you

began

.

t

o

.

dance

again,

–

–

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

wide

.

o

p

e

n

.

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

joy

.

y

o

u

.

gained,

.

.

a

l

s

o

.

.

became

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

there

.

w

a

s

.

only

.

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

there

.

w

a

s

.

only

.

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

there

.

w

a

s

.

only

.

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

shy

behind

.

t

h

e

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ shy

behind

.

t

h

e

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

once

knew

.

a

s

.

a

.

child.

Reflection: This was a inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in October of 2014 in reflection of where even the slightest warmth, kindness, hope, acceptance, patience, and forgiveness can change two lives at the same time – theirs and yours; even if only for a moment, an hour, or a day. Because every form of warmth and kindness you offer to others, comes back into your own via the shared experience. So, do this. And do it often.

☆°▪︎ THE TWISTING TURNING TIDES ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

It

.

w

a

s

.

dark,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

then

.

it

.

w

a

s

.

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

was

.

n

o

t

.

wrong,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

wasn’t

.

q

u

i

t

e

.

right . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dipped

.

m

y

.

toe

into

.

t

h

e

.

eye,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

told

myself

.

t

o

.

fight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

t

o

l

d

.

myself

.

t

o

.

fight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

to

resist

.

t

h

e

.

slide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

storm

.

d

i

d

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

storm

.

d

i

d

.

entice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that’s

what

.

g

e

t

s

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

each

.

a

n

d

.

every

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

.

g

e

t

s

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

each

.

a

n

d

.

every

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

e

v

e

n

.

though

.

i

t

.

tells

.

m

e

.

everything

will

.

b

e

.

alright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ everything

will

.

b

e

.

just

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

this

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

y

o

u

–

–

–

know

.

h

o

w

.

much

.

I

.

like

.

t

o

. 

wine,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

dine,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

dance

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

lie . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

like

.

t

o

.

dance

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

lie . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

l

l

–

–

–

hours

.

o

f

.

the

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

daylight

.

o

p

e

n

s

.

her

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

close

.

t

h

e

.

blinds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

close

.

t

h

e

.

blinds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

close

.

t

h

e

.

blinds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

close

.

t

h

e

.

blinds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I

.

c

a

n

. 

dim

.

t

h

e

.

light,

–

–

which

reminds 

.

m

e

.

of

times . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

m

y

.

life 

.

w

a

s

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

reminds 

.

m

e

.

of

times . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

m

y

.

life 

.

w

a

s

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I 

.

h

a

d

.

a

.

mind

which

.

c

o

u

l

d

. 

clearly

decide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

had

.

a

.

mind

which

.

c

o

u

l

d

. 

clearly

decide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

.

I

.

f

e

l

l

.

hostage

.

t

o

.

the

twisting,

–

–

turning

tides . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

.

I

.

f

e

l

l

.

hostage

.

t

o

.

the

twisting,

–

–

turning

tides . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

.

I

.

f

e

l

l

.

hostage

.

t

o

.

the

twisting,

–

–

turning

tides . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

t

–

–

–

bring

.

t

h

e

.

lows . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

bring

.

t

h

e

.

highs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

dip

.

m

y

.

toe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

begin

.

t

o

.

slide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

dip

.

m

y

.

toe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

begin

.

t

o

.

slide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

dip

.

m

y

.

toe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

begin

.

t

o

.

slide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

–

–

–

the

storm

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

smiles.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in October of 2014 where the affected party likes to flirt with temptation and repeatedly gets drawn into the depths of the darkness and chaos it brings – being addicted to the “ride.” It seems this will be a lifelong, all-consuming struggle and that the affected party will never be able to escape the forces of temptation, addiction, compulsion, and distraction. The struggle can represent any temptation, addiction, compulsion, or distraction type: drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, obsessions, etc.

☆°▪︎ WHEN THE FUTURE BECOMES THE NOW ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

You

yearned . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

yearned . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

so

.

m

u

c

h

.

more,

–

–

when

.

y

o

u

.

first

.

s

e

t

.

the

course,

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

those

.

distant

shores . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ for

those

.

distant

shores

.

o

f

.

regret

. 

a

n

d

.

remorse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

yearned . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

yearned . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

so

.

m

u

c

h

.

more,

–

–

back

when

.

y

o

u

.

stored

.

s

o

.

little

gratitude . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

what

treasures

.

y

o

u

.

held

.

i

n

.

the

days

.

o

f

.

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ back

when

.

y

o

u

.

knew

.

y

o

u

.

were

.

n

o

t

.

confused,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

felt

.

s

o

.

sure

.

y

o

u

.

might

find 

.

t

h

e

.

fix . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

might

.

find

.

t

h

e

.

cure . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

somewhere

behind

. 

s

o

m

e

.

secret

door . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

I

ponder

.

whether

.

y

o

u

.

will

yearn 

.

y

e

t

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ will

.

y

o

u

.

yearn 

.

y

e

t

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

someday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

somehow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

your

future

.

becomes

.

t

h

e

.

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ when

.

y

o

u

.

finally

discover

.

there

.

i

s

.

no

doubt . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

w

a

s

.

all

.

j

u

s

t

.

a

.

spinning

house

.

i

n

.

the

clouds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

spinning

’round

.

a

n

d

.

’round . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

end

.

o

v

e

r

.

end . . .

–

–

–

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

up

.

a

n

d

.

down . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

.

w

a

s

.

a

.

spinning

house

.

i

n

.

the

clouds

.

o

f

.

doubt . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

ponder

.

whether

.

y

o

u

.

will

yearn 

.

y

e

t

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

ponder

.

whether

.

y

o

u

.

will

yearn 

.

y

e

t

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

y

o

u

.

someday

discern

.

within

.

t

h

e

.

whirling

blur . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

.

a

l

l

.

the

glimmer

.

y

o

u

.

were

searching

.

f

o

r

.

sparkles

upon

.

t

h

e

.

distant

shores . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

sparkles

.

upon

.

t

h

e

.

distant

shores,

.

.

o

f

.

.

the

.

d

a

y

s

.

that

.

c

a

m

e

.

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

causing

.

s

u

c

h

.

rush

. 

o

f

.

regret

.

a

n

d

.

remorse,

–

–

that

.

y

o

u

.

madly

race

.

t

o

.

reverse

course,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

yearn

.

f

o

r

.

those

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

yearn

.

f

o

r

.

those

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

yearn

.

f

o

r

.

those

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

yearn

.

f

o

r

.

those

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ for

the

.

d

a

y

s

.

that

.

c

a

m

e

.

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ for

the

.

d

a

y

s

. 

that

.

c

o

m

e

.

no

more.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in October of 2014 where the affected party likes to flirt with temptation and repeatedly gets drawn into the depths of the darkness and chaos it brings – being addicted to the “ride.” It seems this will be a lifelong, all-consuming struggle and that the affected party will never be able to escape the forces of temptation, addiction, compulsion, and distraction. The struggle can represent any temptation, addiction, compulsion, or distraction type: drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, obsessions, etc.

☆°▪︎ BY YOUR SIDE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There’s

.

n

o

.

need 

.

t

o

.

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There’s

.

n

o

.

need 

.

t

o

.

hide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

always 

.

b

y

.

your

side . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Don’t

.

b

e

. 

surprised

.

i

f

.

I

.

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

I

.

try

. 

t

o

.

inspire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

I

.

try 

.

t

o

.

hold 

.

y

o

u

.

high . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

I

.

try

.

t

o

.

wipe 

.

t

h

e

.

tears 

.

f

r

o

m

.

your

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

you

.

m

i

g

h

t

.

see

.

t

h

e

.

same

sunrise . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

.

s

a

m

e

.

sunrise

.

t

h

a

t

.

I

. 

see

.

s

o

.

clearly

.

i

n

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

.

s

a

m

e

.

sunrise

.

warmly

embracing

.

y

o

u

. 

in

your

.

n

e

w

.

future

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

will

.

y

o

u

.

allow

.

m

e

. 

to

.

b

e

.

your

guide ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ will

.

y

o

u

.

allow

.

m

e

. 

to

.

b

e

.

your

guide ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

that

.

i

s

. 

the

purpose

. 

o

f

.

my

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

shine

.

t

h

e

.

light

. 

w

h

e

r

e

.

darkness

resides . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

reveal

.

t

h

e

.

warmth

behind

.

c

o

l

d

.

disguise . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

lift

heavy

.

spirits

high

.

i

t

t

o

.

the

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There’s

.

n

o

.

need 

.

t

o

.

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There’s

.

n

o

.

need 

.

t

o

.

hide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

always 

.

b

y

.

your

.

side.

Reflection: This was an inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in September of 2014 in honor of those special people I know and encounter in my life that I seek to continually uplift, encourage, inspire, and guide so they can live a happier, brighter, more fulfilling life.

Risk: How Much Should You Take When Investing Your Money?

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Perhaps the most important consideration when making investment decisions involves risk. However, what many people fail to realize is that not only can it be detrimental to their financial future to take too much risk, but it can also be detrimental to their financial future to not take enough risk. Largely, due to the bursting of the dot com bubble in 2000 and the subsequent financial crisis of 2008, many of today’s investors associate risk with emotional comfort level and, as such, primarily rely on cash savings or conservative investments to empower their financial future. However, what many of these investors fail to realize is that it could take a lifetime (or longer) to reach their financial goals in this fashion. Thus, even though they might tell themselves that they are taking little or no risk at all via the financial decisions they are making today they are, in fact, taking substantial risks in terms of empowering their financial future.

So, just what is the right balance between taking too much risk and not taking enough risk? This is a question that I frequently work with people to determine when coaching them on how to manage risk over the life of their investments. I do this in several ways to include:

A. Determining the risk category for each investment goal whether it’s a down payment for a home, an education fund, down payments for investment properties, or a retirement fund. The two primary considerations for determining the appropriate risk categories are:

(1) The defined amount needed upon reaching the investment goal (i.e., how do you know when the goal has been met?). To remain relevant, this amount may need to be adjusted over time. For example, when first establishing a financial goal for a down payment on a home you might initially estimate that you need $20,000 for this down payment, but later, due to home price increases and the type, size, and location of the home that you then desire you might discover that you actually need $30,000.

(2) How much money you presently have, how much money you still need to reach your latest adjusted goal, and what your time horizon is for reaching this goal. If, for a given investment goal, an analysis is performed and the determination made that it falls into a high risk category then you will need to invest in higher risk investments in order to meet this financial goal within your desired time frame. Otherwise it will take longer to reach this goal. The good news about being in a high risk category is that you do not have to be very precise in terms of market timing and/or the investment selected to progress towards the financial goal. On the other hand, if, for a given investment goal, this analysis is performed and a determination made that it falls into a low risk category than you will need to invest in lower risk investments to better ensure that you will not lose a significant portion of what you presently have should the markets experience significant declines. Otherwise, you run the risk, again, that it will take longer to reach this goal. In other words, it doesn’t make sense to take a lot of risk when you do not have to if you can meet this financial goal without taking this additional risk. The bad news about being in a low risk category is that you have to be much more precise in terms of not buying at the wrong time, or not buying the wrong investments, in order to sufficiently progress towards the financial goal. Unfortunately, as stated previously, many of today’s investors associate risk with emotional comfort level and thus rely on cash savings or conservative investments to empower their financial future. Furthermore, many of them have not even taken the steps to define what each of their investment goals are. If they did, they might be surprised at how long it might take to reach these investment goals by relying on cash savings and conservative investments. For example, if you had a total of $10,000 today, save an additional $2,000 per year plus a 5% increase for each future year, and invest all of this in emotionally comfortable conservative investments earning 3% a year, and plan to retire when you have a million dollars then it would take you 67 years to reach this retirement goal. Sixty seven years! However, it’s actually much worse than that. If you estimate that you might need $1,000,000 in today’s dollars to retire how much would that need to be 67 years from now? Well, assuming an average inflation rate of 2% per year, then your investment goal would need to be $3,800,000 dollars. So, although many of today’s investors invest in emotionally, comfortable, conservative investments what they do not realize is that they may not be able to reach their financial goals in their entire lifetimes! So, defining and refining their investment goals and re-evaluating progress and time frames are essential to ensure the appropriate investment risks are being taken. An investment which is emotionally comfortable today may not result in the gains needed to realize the investment goals within the desired timeframes. Recently, I coached a woman who wanted to retire in five years time, but was investing all of her money in a conservative bond fund. After performing some analyses we determined that her current savings would have to grow ten fold in order to reach her investment goal. Using an above average return rate of 8% per year it would take about 28 years or so to reach this goal. If she wanted to retire much sooner than that then the only chance she’d have of making it would be via high risk investments. Please do not wait until you are five years from reaching a major financial goal without understanding the appropriate level of risk to take to ensure your success. You don’t want to be forced into a high risk investment with little time to recover should the markets not cooperate. Making these assessments early on, and making adjustments and managing risk all along the way, is critical and will accelerate your progress towards reaching each of your financial goals.

B. Track and perform risk-reward assessments across various investment alternatives and invest in those which are appropriate with respect to the risk category associated with each investment goal. I perform risk-reward assessments based on various indicators and financial data that I regularly review and evaluate. I’ve discussed some of these via some of my previous articles: Using Bollinger Bands, Stochastics, and Other Indicators to Guide Stock Market Activities and Using Technical Indicators and Charts to Guide Stock Market Activities and Using Price Averaging to Manage Risk.

C. Invest in a disciplined fashion in accordance with the risk category associated with each investment goal using investment strategies appropriate for the risk category. I work with people to develop investment strategies in this fashion. One of the many strategies that I use is averaging into the stock pricing when buying and averaging out of the stock pricing when selling which is something that I discussed in one of my previous articles: Using Technical Indicators and Charts to Guide Stock Market Activities and Using Price Averaging to Manage Risk.

So, effectively managing risk and finding the right balance between taking too much risk and not taking enough risk, all along the way, is critical for empowering your financial future. Do not rely on cash savings and conservative investments if it will take nearly a lifetime (or longer) to reach your financial goals. Likewise, if you have made substantial progress towards reaching your financial goals, do not take so much risk that you stand to lose a large percentage of this progress if the markets significantly decline. I can help you to determine the right balance between these two extremes. And achieving the correct balance is critical if you hope to have the money you need to reach each of your future financial goals.

Managing risk and maintaining the correct balance of risk is key to progressing towards your financial future and the freedom that it brings. The impact of not doing this smartly is the same either way. If you do not take enough risk you will not reach your financial goals within your desired timeframes and if you take too much risk you will not reach your financial goals within your desired timeframes. The optimal level of risk to take at any given time is fluid and dependent upon your specific financial goal, the progress to date, and the associated timeframe. Any change to any one of these aspects will influence the level of risk appropriate for meeting the specified or refined financial goal within the specified or refined timeframe. Sticking to the same plan independent of these considerations will threaten your financial future and the financial freedom that it brings. I can help you to achieve this balance every step of the way.

This article informs how to manage risk and how to find the right balance between taking too much risk and not taking enough risk for each of your investment goals. Part of being a successful investor, and realizing consistent gains over time, involves managing risk and finding the right balance between these two extremes in a fluid, disciplined fashion over time.

For those that did not know, I generally perform life coaching and training services in two primary areas: 1) Personal and Professional Improvement, Development, and Growth, and 2) Financial Planning, Management, and Investing. As such, I generally alternate the articles that I write via my blogs between these two topic areas. This particular article is associated with the second area that I life coach in. So if you don’t have much interest in financial planning, management, and investing, rest assured that the next article that I write will be in the area that you might have greater interest in; the personal and professional improvement, development, and growth area.

 

Joseph M. Brennan Jr.
CEO/Life Coach – Brighter Days Life Coaching
“Your Brighter Days Life Coach for Life”

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