Beck BodeProgress, Not Perfection
January often brings a mix of optimism and pressure, the feeling that something new should begin and that it should begin perfectly.
It’s a natural moment to pause, take stock, and think about the year ahead, not just in terms of goals, but in terms of direction. New beginnings bring energy and optimism, but they can also bring pressure. Pressure to decide quickly. To get things right immediately. To set expectations that may be difficult to sustain once life inevitably intervenes.
The Long View encourages a steadier approach.
Rather than focusing on perfect outcomes or short term performance, it invites progress. Thoughtful, intentional progress built over time. The kind shaped by patience, discipline, and a plan that can adapt as circumstances change.
In this edition, we share a few perspectives to help frame the year ahead. Reflections on why progress rarely feels comfortable in the moment, how consistency and compounding quietly do the heavy lifting, and why having a plan matters long after motivation fades.
In This Issue
- Perspective: Progress Rarely Feels Comfortable
- Planning Corner: The power of acting early and staying invested
- Conversation: Why Financial Plans Break Without Intention
Perspective: Progress Rarely Feels Comfortable
Progress rarely feels comfortable in real time.
Change often arrives before certainty, bringing hesitation and the instinct to wait for clarity. In investing, as in life, progress rarely moves in a straight line. Discomfort along the way isn’t a signal that something is broken. It’s often evidence that change is underway.
In his annual letter, Co-Managing Partner and CIO, Ben Beck, CFP®, reflects on this idea and the principles that continue to guide our planning and investment approach. He shares perspective on how discipline and long-term focus help navigate uncertainty, and where things stand as we look ahead.
It’s a reminder that meaningful progress isn’t driven by perfect timing or prediction, but by having a plan designed to stand the test of time.
Planning Corner: The Impact of Staying Invested
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Director of Financial Planning |
In last year's edition of The Long View, we included an article encouraging those eligible to contribute to an IRA for calendar year 2025, to do it early in the year vs. waiting until the deadline, which is April 2026.
By making the full $7,000 contribution (or $8,000 for those 50 or older) last January, you may well have experienced some nice growth. The graph below reflects the performance of an actual account with an $8K contribution made in mid-January 2025, and its growth during the calendar year.
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An example of how an early IRA contribution experienced short-term declines, recovered over time, and finished the year positive by staying invested. For illustrative purposes only.
This graph also is a clear example of why staying invested, even in a down market, is the right approach. The downturn we experienced last April, when the tariffs were announced, shows a significant drop — about 17.5%. However, by staying invested, the account recouped that loss and then went on to end the year with just over 7.5% growth.
If you’d like to talk through how to put your money to work sooner, we’re always happy to have that conversation.
Conversation: Why Financial Plans Break Without Intention
In a recent NoBondsCast conversation managing partners Ben Beck, CFP® and Jim Bode reflected on why so many financial plans lose momentum early in the year, and what separates plans that endure from those that quietly fade.
A consistent theme emerged: without intention, it’s easy to mistake activity for progress. When plans aren’t clearly connected to meaningful goals, short-term performance and day-to-day noise can quickly take over. Over time, that disconnect often leads to frustration or abandonment.
The conversation also reinforced an idea we see regularly in our work with clients: plans work best when they’re designed to evolve. Goals change. Priorities shift. Life happens. Intention, paired with regular check-ins and realistic expectations, allows plans to adapt rather than break.
It’s a reminder that financial plans don’t exist to eliminate uncertainty. They exist to provide clarity and direction when uncertainty inevitably shows up.
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A Final Thought
January doesn’t require perfection.
It offers a chance to orient yourself and think intentionally about where you’re headed and how today’s decisions connect to the future you’re building. Progress in planning and in life is rarely linear. It’s shaped by uncertainty, patience, and the willingness to stay the course when outcomes aren’t immediately clear.
As the year unfolds we’ll be spending more time showing up in the communities we serve and sharing conversations that reflect what matters most. We’re excited for what’s ahead and look forward to connecting in new ways throughout 2026.
We hope these perspectives offer a steady place to return as the months ahead take shape.
The Beck Bode Team