The Greatest Gift Was Burning Out

Rich and I love rewatching Mad Men.

On the surface, it's about a Madison Avenue advertising agency in 1960s New York. But underneath, it's about something much deeper.

It's about identity.

After years of chasing success, Don Draper walks away.

At a retreat in California, he admits he's been living under another man's name, breaking his vows, and pretending to be someone he isn't.

Peggy Olson begs him to come back to New York and work on the Coca-Cola account.

He does eventually.

And then he creates what many consider the most iconic commercial ever made:

"I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke."

Ironically, Don creates his greatest work only after he stops trying to create the perfect image of himself.

I understand Don more today than I did twenty years ago.

I loved being a portfolio manager at a hedge fund in New York.

I loved the competition, the intellectual challenge, the prestige, the money... and if I'm honest, what it did for my ego.

For a while, I had a hot hand.

Then I burned out.

On Wall Street, you're only as good as your last trade.

At the time, it felt like failure.

Today, I see it as one of the greatest gifts I've ever received.

If I hadn't burned out, I probably never would have left New York.

I never would have questioned the identity I'd built around achievement.

When I was living in Houston, exhausted and questioning everything,

I thought my life was falling apart.

In reality, my ego was falling apart.

I've come to believe that external success can become a prison, and real freedom comes from discovering an identity that isn't dependent on achievement.

One of my favorite quotes from Lao Tzu says it best:

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."

Ironically, I fell back in love with investing once I stopped using it to prove my worth.

Sometimes losing the life you thought you wanted is exactly what allows you to discover the life you were meant to live.

Here comes the sun, little Darlin'

(Not California, but me at Surf Camp in Portugal)

If you feel like you are having to chase success,

maybe it is time to take your career down to the studs and uncover your worth.

Reach out if you want to share!

Tiffany Kent

Your Friendly Wealth Engagement Guide

Disclosures: Past performance is not indicative of future results. This material is not financial advice or an offer to sell any product. The information contained herein should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security. Forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed.

This commentary offers generalized research, not personalized investment advice. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a complete description of our investment services or performance. Nothing in this commentary should be interpreted to state or imply that past results are an indication of future investment returns. All investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with an investment & tax professional before implementing any investment strategy. Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Wealth Engagement LLC is a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.