Emerging Strength

05/23/2026

Wanting wanting wanting.

Most people struggle with a desire for consumption. Could be alcohol, drugs, s*x, attention, complicated coffee, cars, and so much more.

Some if this is about getting relief from things we don't feel any control over. There are many reasons to gain mastery over your desires for more.

Figure out what's really important to you and stop wasting resources on what's unimportant. If it doesn't matter to you, then let it go. Concentrate resources elsewhere.

The average car payment in 2026 is $785. The graph below, explains one reason why all this wanting, wanting, wanting costs you a future. What does your future self really need you from you right now?

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18uqYwdfBA/

📊 Investing $1,000 a month at 7% annual growth, the first $100K takes about 79 months to reach.

The second $100K arrives in roughly 54 months, because the $100K already invested is now compounding alongside new contributions.

By $200K, the acceleration is visible: the third $100K takes 41 months, the fourth takes 33 months.

The 14th milestone, from $1.3M to $1.4M, takes under 12 months.

At $1.9M, the portfolio generates approximately $11,000 a month in growth at 7% annual returns.

That puts the 20th milestone, from $1.9M to $2M, at roughly 8 months.

The first $100K takes nearly 10 times longer to earn than the last.

This assumes a consistent 7% annual return with contributions reinvested and no withdrawals.

Sequence of returns risk means the actual timeline near retirement can vary significantly from these projections.



P.S. Every Friday I send a short email with the week's top post, my take on the best article I read, and what I'm writing about on the site. Link in the comments.

The content shared here is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not personalized investment, tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions based on your specific situation.

05/22/2026

For years I have noticed people with anxiety often gravitate to cleaning and organizing. This article discusses that pretty well.

A Simple Chore Could Help Calm Your Mind, And It's Popular With Zen Monks : ScienceAlert

It's spring cleaning season, and for some people that can mean drudgery or anxiety.

05/06/2026

Been thinking about how we get lost sometimes, in our thoughts, feelings, memories, judgments, and expectations. And wanted to share a resource that I have appreciated.

This book, is written in a way that can be really helpful. When you are not sure where you stand. For example:

Chapter 1: Places We Go When Things Are Uncertain
Chapter 5: Places We Go When Things Aren't What They Seem

I find that personally and professionally, this "not knowing where you stand" is happening more and more often to all of us. AND there are things you can do about it.

The first thing I do is figure out what I am feeling. Like a lot of people that usually starts with "ok" or "I don't know". Those are not feelings. So I keep working.

The second thing I do, is the ACT Matrix. And if I am still unclear about where I stand, I go back to Brene Brown's, Atlas of the Heart. It has been really helpful.

We find our strength when we understand where we stand and how that shapes our feelings.

04/23/2026

Relationships can be complicated.

Do you find that in your relationship you or your partner is frequently the least interested in something (s*x, where to eat, cleaning the house, planning a vacation)?

The least interested party is the one who holds the most power.

It makes you wonder about the social contract between the parties. And as a fallout of that, the viability of the relationship.

Be cautious, this pattern can destroy relationships.

Learn to share the remote, plan together, validate feelings you don't understand. Try saying, yes and before that let's try...

03/09/2026

Here's our latest blog post with a few ideas for how to deactivate your stress alarm and recover from modern living.

The modern world is designed to keep you activated. Choosing to deactivate is an act of strength. The more you do it the stronger you will be.

You don't get stronger the first time you pick up a weight; you get stronger when you recovery from the weight you picked up. Here are a few ideas for practicing recovery.

https://emergingstrength.com/blog/healing-the-modern-mind--deactivating-stress-and-building-strength--one-actionable-moment-at-a-time

03/01/2026

At Emerging Strength we help people find their strength to build a life they love.

I was working on financial strength today. It's been a brutal 3 months. Lots of big expenses and I feel defeated.

So I turned to an educational podcast by Ray Dalio. He said, most people ask how to get rich and he says that's the wrong question.

We should start by asking, what would guarantee staying poor forever, and how can those things be avoided?

02/28/2026

Do you want to refine yourself and be better than you were last year?

Do the hard work you've been avoiding.

Did you notice what just popped into your mind? Was it the hard work you have been afraid to do? No? Wait for it...That's what you need to do.

Engaging in hard work is the most refining process you can engage in over the course of your life.

Embrace this process in the major domains of your life: relationships, finances, personal growth, fitness, mental health, etc.