In our previous episode, we launched our Gap Year.  Now, with three months left, it's time to evaluate it. Ask yourself these questions weekly, record your answer trends, but also pay attention to your heart.

Components:

1. Loves & Loathes 
2. Must Haves & Can’t Stands 
3. Problems: That CAN be solved 
4. Problems: That CAN’T be solved. 
5. Overall Score: 1 to 10, no 5’s. 
6. Strategically Push Up the Score? 
7. Great vs Good Enough 
8. How Did it Feel 
9. Extend or Start Again

Zurich explains several math equations in this episode.  We explain them visually for you here:

Overall score: Count up your score, divided by the possible score, then convert to a ten point scale. For example, if you had 17 items, for a possible score of 170, but scored 140, then you would divide 140/170 = 82%. Convert that to a 10 point scale and you get 8.2. 

Quantifying Good Feelings" Count the number of “good feelings” and divde by the total number of items. Translate the percentage into a digit. In other words, if you had 12 items, and felt good about 9 of them, that is 75%. On a ten point scale, that is a 7.5.

Overall Score:  If you're a data-driven person, weight your results 80% toward data and 20% toward feelings.  If you're more feelings-driven, go 50-50.

To get your overall score, multiply each of your scores from data and feelings by the ratio above, then add together. For example: 1. If you scored 8.2 on the data, and 7.5 on the feelings and your ratio was 80/20 data/feelings. 2. Then you would multiply 8.2 * 80% and 7.5 * 20%, and add the resulting numbers together. 3. 8.2 * 80% = 6.6. 7.5*20% = 1.5. 6.6+1.5 = 8.1 Overall

Results:

Extend (7+) 

If you scored 7 or better, it’s worth another go. But maybe not a full year. Usually, a 7 can be improved. Zurich's rules of thumb:

7 – 8: I try again for 3 months to see if I can get over 8. 

8 – 9: I try again for 6 months to see if I can get over 9. 

9+ : I make it permanent 

Start Again (6-) 

If you scored 6 or below, something is seriously wrong

If scored 4-6, look for timelines or sections useful 

If scored less than 4, look for salvageable items. Maintain optimism. 

Contact:

Zurich Awes Financial Management Website: https://www.zurichawes.com/

Zurich's email: zurich@zurichawes.com

Zurich's phone number: 763-577-1900

Last time, we talked about prepping your "Gap Year."  Today, we are going to launch it.  Zurich Awes and Jon Gay cover all phases of launching your Gap Year, in the "Don't Retire, Semi-Retire" and "Live The Life You Love" process.  This emotional roller coaster will include:

• The adrenaline on launch
• The meltdowns and panic once you get going.  This regret is natural and part of the process, It will abate.
• The glee of the first three weeks
• The wonder
• The pride
• The catharsis
• The happy rhythm
• The reflection

In our next session, we'll evaluate the Gap Year, and decide whether to extend or start over.

Contact:

Zurich Awes Financial Management Website: https://www.zurichawes.com/

Zurich's email: zurich@zurichawes.com

Zurich's phone number: 763-577-1900

In previous episodes of our podcast, we've reached the point where we are at our "final choice" of what the next phase of your life could look like.  Today, Zurich Awes and Jag talk about prepping for that "Gap Year," and trying out your new life.

Give yourself the option to either extend this year to multiple years, or even to bail if it's not working.  And allow yourself to go through the very natural emotions of this transition - wonder, shock, awe, fear, guilt, grief, elation, and/or freedom!

Plan out this year in a way that it won't destroy you financially if it doesn't work out.  At this point we are flying WITH a net.  And be sure to work with advisors who have the experience to advise you through this process.

Which aspects of your life will remain active during this gap year, and which aspects will go "on hold?" HOW do you put them on hold?  There could be issues with cars, homes, insurance and especially PEOPLE!  Know how you're going to maintain relationships while you're gone, and make plans to stay in touch with the people who are important to you.

As always, document everything!  And have multiple plans - not just a plan B and C, but all the way to Z if you need to.   And if something's not working, and you change a variable, be prepared to backtrack through those plans.   

Have an exit strategy should you need it, and don't be afraid to fail.  Failing will only teach you.

For more information on Zurich Awes, reach  him at https://www.zurichawes.com/

Or Call him at (763) 577-1900