Creative Thinking, Music, Road Trips and Finance Strategies.

What I have realised over the past two decades as a mature, sophisticated gentleman (insert well-groomed beard, tailored suit and top hat), is that working in finance draws upon a number of disciplines to create and service the right outcome.

A level of creativity is required and this can be challenging when parked in front of a screen most days dealing with numbers.

The right outcome for a client varies dramatically and can include one or all of the listed factors:

• Full Doc VS Low Doc – do financials support the best rate, structure and timing?
• Does the client have ATO debt and repayment plan that needs to be considered?
• What type of equipment is being purchased i.e. Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, No Serial Numbers?
• Does the client have capped exposure limits with all available funders?
• Is it a start-up business with the support of PAYG income or other business entities as corporate guarantors?
• Do we require a capital raise against existing unencumbered assets to complete the purchase of the new equipment?
• Has the borrowers credit score dipped below 500 with Equifax due to trade enquiries, late repayments….?
• Which of the 35 lenders that we deal with would best suit this client and transaction?

The list goes on and on….

Being mentally fit as a finance broker to stay sharp and deliver exceptional outcomes is key to longevity in the game. Especially as the industry has an aging population and a breadth of experience that needs to be handed across to younger team members. Not so different to the challenge that every small business owner faces every day.

Listed are the tools that I use to stay sharp mentally for my family, team members and clients:

• Integrate a hobby with work so that you can enjoy both and stay engaged:
  For me that is rolling around the country side in my ute seeing clients and referral partners, whilst staying in my roof top tent. Not only does it mean that I have all creature comforts at my fingertips (coffee included), it also means that I am outdoors, in fresh air, working on the road and engaging face to face with people. Yes, real people.
  
  
• Music to calm the mind:
  Playing and listening to music for me, calms the mind to allow focus and limits procrastination. I have used music since I was a kid for enjoyment and mental clarity. Thinking back, I have had some awesome experiences with music that has included playing trumpet in a school band, marching with the 10/27^th Battalion Band as a reservist on ANZAC Day, going to Adelaide Uni to play at the Con and taking up guitar later in life to relax on a daily basis. Music has been a lifesaver that I value the older I get.
  
  
• Driving:
  A number of my clients get what I am saying regarding driving, as they do > 50,000 kms per year. Driving on the open road, in the middle of no-where, is the ultimate thinking time. You can’t pick up your phone and scroll, you can’t get distracted and you have the opportunity to listen to podcasts, audiobooks and music. You can also just sit in silence and think which provides some awesome thoughts and solutions on a wide range of fronts.
  
  
• Reading:
  Find a genre that you enjoy and try reading for 30 minutes a day. I love Sci Fi Fantasy and read everything from Brandon Sanderson, Samantha MAAS (yes, fairy smut) to Rebecca Yarros. Pick something you like and stick with it in small increments each day, as it settles the mind and creates space for creative thinking.

Everyone uses different tools to stay sharp. Find what works and keep tweaking for mental clarity.

Footnote – I will leave you with my current list of songs being learnt on guitar so that you can play “full bore” when jamming on your road trip:

1. Everlong – Foo Fighters
2. All Along The Watch Tower – Jimi Hendrix
3. Gold On The Ceiling  – The Black Keys
4. Heading South – Zach Bryan
5. IRIS – Goo Goo Dolls

Enjoy!
Matt Corkin