Changing Gears: Slicing Forehands, Swooping Dives, and Market Moves
When you glide through water, it seems a little like flying: you’re weightless, quiet, and there are only bubbles around you. That’s what diving is like. The board shakes underfoot, making nerves tingle. If you make a mistake, you’ll hit the surface rapids first instead of cutting cleanly in. Some people believe that getting a clean entry is like threading a shoelace through a needle. It’s amazing to see someone twirl twice, tuck tightly, and hit the pool with hardly a splash. No one talks about the long practice hours, the bruises, or the cold tile at 5:00 a.m. But what about those problems? Just a component of the plan. Get in touch Adam McManus Etobicoke
Go skiing. The mountain is your wild stallion, and gravity is your engine. As you speed down the hill with your knees close together and your poles slicing through the powder, adrenaline starts to flow. The snow hurts. Your goggles go foggy. Every turn has a split second to shine. If you miss your edge, you lose your balance. Watch ski jumpers from a distance; they fly like scared hawks, seeking distance with their hearts in their throats. Anyone who has put on boots before dawn understands that victory comes in the cold.
Going to tennis quickly. No two points ever wear the same outfit: spin, slice, volley, or lob. When you hit the sweet spot, lightning travels up your arm. When the racquet hits the ball, the crowd’s combined gasp can be thunderous. Matches get all twisted and tangled. Sometimes confidence melts away like ice cream in the summer, and other times it rises and everything falls into place. I still recall the loud grunt that came with the ball hitting the baseline. Ten seconds later? Shout for victory. Next serve. Rinse and do it again.
Let’s change the subject—finance is just as scary, but with less bruised shins. Choosing stocks is a lot like choosing a good tennis racket: not everyone will enjoy the same one. Some people check tickers in the morning like skiers check snow. Even the most well-thought-out plan might go wrong if the market suddenly changes. One day you’re cruising, and the next you’re picking up pieces. They say to mix things up. Don’t put all your money on one horse. But going through a crazy market day with charts going up, down, and bouncing? It feels just as exciting as serving your quickest serve.
Balance sheets and budgets may sound boring, but they are also where all the fun of competitiveness happens. One person saves for years, while the other takes a chance. Sometimes good strategy wins over bad luck, and other times it’s the other way around. The details are beautiful. When your math sings and your spreadsheet lights green instead of red, it’s a fantastic month.
Even though sports and finance appear far apart, they both want to be the best. Both punish being unsure and reward being brave. A decision made in a split second can change everything. Everyone has that electrifying moment when their heart skips a beat and they either stick the landing, conquer the slope, or watch their investment do flips they never signed up for. Ride the wave, ski down the slope, and follow the market. Just hold on tight and wear a helmet.