You have a steady job that pays the bills and puts your abilities to good use. You have loving relationships with your spouse, your children, extended family, and close friends. Your house provides enough space and security. Your golf league gives you a chance to unwind. Your volunteer work improves your community.

The specific details might vary, but most people would consider this scenario the basis for a pretty good life. Yet many of us who do check these boxes often feel like there's something missing.

A fascinating new study published by Affective Science asked nearly 4,000 people from 9 countries what kind of life they wanted. The results suggest that there's an important dimension to improving life that many of us may be overlooking.

In his classic business book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," Stephen Covey encourage folks to draw strong distinctions between "Circles of Concern," "Circles of Influence,” and "Circles of Control."

You might be feeling like 2025 is already filling up your "Circle of Concern." From changes in Washington to wildfires, from global conflicts to bumpy markets, we've all experienced some significant ups and downs that could affect our lives, work, and finances for the rest of the year.

But while none of us can prevent a natural disaster or stabilize tech stocks, we can use Covey's system to reframe our perspective, refocus our energy, and improve our Return on Life.

Without ambition, our goals would likely stay small and unrealized. We need that extra drive to push ourselves to new heights and boost our Return on Life in multiple areas. 

But too much ambition can harm our physical and emotional health, which, ironically, can make it that much harder to accomplish the things we're sacrificing so much to pursue. If you focus all your energy, every moment of every day, on one single activity, you're much more likely to burn out.

Ask yourself these three questions to find a healthier balance between ambition and wellbeing that will help you experience a more well-rounded version of success.

Many of us are naturally inclined to resist change, especially when it comes to our finances. This tendency is known as status quo bias, where we prefer things to stay the same, even if changing our approach might lead to better outcomes. Whether it’s holding onto underperforming investments, sticking with outdated financial strategies, or avoiding necessary adjustments to retirement plans, this bias can negatively impact your financial well-being. Here are 3 reason we resist change…

With wealth comes an expansive list of financial opportunities: paying down debt, upgrading homes, maximizing retirement savings, or supporting future generations. The real question isn’t what’s possible, but what’s most important.

This is where clarity and intentionality come into play. Financial planning, done properly, helps you make choices in alignment with your values.

Establishing the “why” behind your wealth can provide a helpful foundation. What does financial success mean to you? Is it about flexibility and independence? Generational legacy? Giving back to your community? Your “why” serves as your guidepost, helping you prioritize and sequence your financial goals.