Can You Sleep When The Wind Blows?

A young farmhand rode into town looking for work. He could turn his hand on almost anything so he didn’t mind what was on offer. He also had a few dollars stashed away so he wasn’t desperate for money either. He just needed three meals a day and somewhere to lay his head at night.

Eventually he found a place looking for workers. Happy with the calluses on the young man’s hands, the farmer asked him what his strengths were, to which the young man replied…

“I can sleep when the wind blows”.

Not wanting to admit his ignorance, the farmer nodded wisely and gave him a start. He told the young man he could sleep in the attic above the barn and join the family in the farmhouse for his meals.

The young worker turned out to be a great find. He was the first on his feet every morning and didn’t stop until the doing was done late in the day. He was both a fowl and an owl.

However for weeks the farmer couldn’t shake off the young man’s comment, “I can sleep when the wind blows”. He was desperate to ask what he meant but his pride wouldn’t permit it.

Then, about three months into his employ, a ferocious storm hit the farm one night. It was a real rip, bust and tear type storm. Relentless and unforgiving.

The farmer immediately bounced out of bed and took off towards the barn and stables. While racing around frantically he noticed the young worker was nowhere to be seen. He couldn’t believe it. He was incredulous.

But as the farmer sprinted from one hatch to the next, he noticed everything had already been battened down. There was nothing to worry about. And with that, a smile began to appear on his face. He now understood why the boy could sleep when the wind blows.

I love this story, it’s one of my favourite’s. A real grandpa to grandson type story.

If the young farmhand was a financial planner (and just quietly, I reckon he’d go alright), what hatches do you think he would make sure were battened down with regards to your finances?

Here’s a couple…

• Do you have enough in savings to cover at least 6 months of living expenses in the event of a job loss?
• Is your will up to date? Are you still on talking terms with the executor? (not joking)
• Are the death beneficiary nominations in your super up to date?
• In the event of your untimely death, do you have adequate life insurance in place?
• Would someone (other than you) know where to find your will and insurance policies if something happening?
• Have you worked out how much money you need to retire on?
• Have you stress tested all loans as if interest rates were pegged at 8%

Perhaps there’s a dark corner in your finances that needs a light shone on it, but for one reason or another, you have chosen to ignore it.

Maybe you just need some clarity? Clarity has power. It brings what matters most into sharp focus and puts first things first again. It’s also the genesis of good preparation…and lots of sleep!

Something to think about.

Have a great weekend and sleep tight.

Adam