Take the Helm: Navigating Your Way to Financial Freedom

by Roland Ghazal CHFC, CLU, LUTCF

Overview

"An earnest life-planning manual with a decidedly old-fashioned feel"
--Kirkus Review

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to get rich quick, while others are destined for a life of financial struggle? The world has led you to believe that financial freedom only happens to the lucky few who have some uncommon talent. The truth is just the opposite! As you journey through this book, you will discover that financial freedom is within your reach, uncovering exactly why so many people struggle with money.

Take the Helm is the definitive guide to getting past deep-rooted limitations and picking up powerful tools to help you make decisions, stay ahead of your financial life, and confidently navigate money management.

This book is designed to help you navigate the "seven seas of life" from personal finances, career, and education to growing and protecting your wealth. We will help you make a crucial shift in your planning so you can chart the course to financial success, and Take the Helm will be your guide as you explore the magic of creating the financial power to pursue your dreams.

By taking the steps to become financially fit, you will reap the benefits of:

Increased happiness

Reduced stress

Finally building real wealth

Taking control of your finances does not mean you have to give up the life you love. Get started today and enjoy the incredible benefits nested within this book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781641464956
Publisher:	Two Sisters Writing and Publishing LLC
Publication date:	10/20/2020
Pages:	166
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Roland began his career in the Financial Services industry in 1984 and was the recipient of many national and industry awards over the years. He has been an accomplished financial professional and managing partner for a Fortune 100 company for several decades. Roland holds multiple financial, securities, and insurance licenses. He has been a major contributor to the success of many leaders and financial advisers in the financial services industry.

He’s a self-made man, father, grandfather, and a strong advocate of financial literacy and education. Roland is multi-cultural and multi-lingual with extensive international travel experiences to more than 61 countries. He’s a philanthropist on multiple fronts and a member of several professional and civic organizations.

Roland’s many years of successful management experience is enhanced by his leadership in both community and professional organizations. He has a strong belief in both personal and professional development. He has earned his CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) and his ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation from the American College; specializing in retirement and complex estate planning.

His key skill sets are strategic planning, recruiting, and both building and growing business structures.

Table of Contents

Disclaimer ix

Introduction: Paradise Island xi

The Satisfaction Zone xiv

What is Your Definition of Success? xv

Know the "Whys" in your Life xvi

The Seven Seas xix

Success and You xxi

Chapter 1 SEA 1: Finances 1

Timeless Financial Lessons 6

The Economic Levels of Society 10

Chapter 2 SEA 2: Family 15

The Sea of Family 15

A Dark Place Called Fear 18

Families Launch Us Across the Seven Seas of Life 21

My Grandmother's Legacy 24

Family Lessons and Overcoming Fear 26

Timeless Lessons from Family 28

Chapter 3 SEA 3: increase Your Work Value 31

Professional Development 31

High-Definition Performance 33

Increasing Your Work Value 38

The Magic Fix is in the Mix 44

Chapter 4 SEA 4: Career 47

The Relationship Circles 48

Decision Making 50

Organize, Systematize and Prioritize 52

The Exit Plan 53

The Blueprint for Success 54

Business Strategy … or Tragedy? 57

Winning in the Game of Life 60

Chapter 5 SEA 5: Social Networks 63

The Ocean of Emotions 70

Romance and Reality 70

Rejection 72

Choosing Your Social Network Wisely 74

Chapter 6 SEA 6: Navigating the Storms of Life 77

The Fear is Real 79

Stop Worrying and Start Living 84

Life in the Fast Lane 86

A Tale of Two Possibilities 90

Dealing with Vultures 93

Emerging from the Storms 95

Chapter 7 SEA 7: Growing and Protecting Wealth 97

The Money Tree 97

The uses of Money 99

Essentials of Wealth 101

Take Care of Debt 103

Managing and Tracking Your Wealth 106

The Formula for Winning 108

Estate Planning Made Easy 109

Protect Your Estate Plan 112

You're in Charge 114

Chapter 8 You, Too, Can Design Your Life 117

Legacy by Design 117

Fulfilling Your Passions 121

Creation 123

The Ultimate Plan 124

How to Enjoy Your Wealth 126

Sunset of the Journey 128

Vision, Precision, Strength 130

About the Author 133

Appendix 135

Editorial Reviews

2020-07-01
A beginner’s guide to financial planning by a recognized expert.

Longtime financial adviser and first-time author Ghazal, a managing partner at New York Life Insurance, applies his life experiences and professional acumen in this guide aimed at a general audience. Ghazal opts for an informal, friendly style, encouraging readers to look beyond the technical details of wealth planning in order to set long-term life goals. For example, he asks readers to imagine what they would consider to be their personal “paradise island,”and he characterizes the act of planning as the “ship” that one uses to navigate life’s major challenges, which he calls the “Seven Seas”: “Finances,” “Family,” “Increasing Work Value,” “Career,” “Social Networks,” “Navigating Storms,” and “Growing and Protecting Wealth.” Within each chapter, Ghazal combines wealth strategies with life-planning advice, incorporating personal anecdotes to provide concrete examples of how his model applies to real-world problems. In “Sea 4: Career,” the author discusses relationship circles, networking, and decision-making as being key to career planning. In “Sea 6: Navigating the Storms of Life,” Ghazal recounts various obstacles that he faced on the road to success, including the premature birth of his daughter, who weighed only 2 pounds at birth, and his arrival as an immigrant to the United States with only $300 in his pocket. Underlying it all is what Ghazal calls “The Ultimate Plan,” which “should lead you to a place in your life where you will have few regrets, many loved ones, and the freedom to spend time with them.” The book’s grandfatherly advice, cartoonlike illustrations, and somewhat corny “Seven Seas” metaphor combine to create a homey, pleasant financial self-help guide. It may have particular appeal for teenagers, newly independent young adults, or readers encountering financial planning concepts for the first time. However, its lack of attention to the changing realities of the gig economy will limit its usefulness, as will its cursory and simplistic treatment of the role of social media in career-building. As a result, seasoned investors, midcareer professionals, and seniors seeking sophisticated guidance should look elsewhere.

An earnest life-planning manual with a decidedly old-fashioned feel.

Kirkus Reviews