Daily Intent

“Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms.  At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained fatihful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been.  So it must be with this generation of Americans.”

- Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, Inauguration Address.

Do you hear it in his words?  Do you hear the humility?  No matter the policies put in place, he is but one man, yes, with intense resources, but he can only do so much.  It is up to us Americans to rebuild this country.  It is up to us to get creative.  It is up to us to put our heads down and work hard, not for the sole purpose of accumulating wealth and things as our generation has come to do so easily, but to preserve the ideals of that which this country was founded.  Freedom of thought, freedom of commerce, freedom to be that which you were called to be.

We have many challenges that must be solved.

How can we borrow from the future in taking out another $800bn to preserve today’s liberties when we know twenty years from now we will have the Baby Boomers in prime form for medical attention, social security, all the while having lower retirement funds?  Does it start with medical advancements?  Preventative medicines?  Regenerative methods?  Preventing aging in cheaper forms?  So the medical demands are less costly….many scientists believe twenty to thirty years from now we will understand the human body and regenerative methods well enough to allow for humans to live 150 to 300 years.  Wow!   …check out Ted.com for some insightful talks on this topic.

What about the banking system?  Are the bankers willing to trust us and our loyalty to pay back loans?  Are you as a customer willing to trust the banks with your money? that they will protect your checking, savings, CD and money market accounts, by making conservative investment choices and smart business decisions.

Many are without jobs.  The unemployment rate in California is already over 9% and the United States numbers are soon to reach this point.  Are you creative enough to package yourself as a income generating asset to a company?  Or might you be creative enough to be able to provide a space for others to work alongside and underneath you in order to create opportunities and value?

The Great Depression, as our era is commonly being referenced, did not become a working powerhouse in one year or even two or three, however it started with its people.  Thankfully, many of these people are around today.  Septuagenarians, 70 year olds, Octogenarians, 80 year olds.  Take them out to lunch, or coffee, and ask them how their families made it through tougher, less optimistic times.  Ask them how they found hope when many were hopeless.

As I’ve written all throughout 2008, I’m excited for these times as there is opportunity everywhere.  Find it.  And if you can’t find it, create.
 
Buzzword: Wisdom Junkie

One that seeks out opportunities, books, people that can offer wisdom and insights into how to live one’s life.  While many are drawn to the “God inspired” forms of wisdom via the Bible, Koran, Book of Morman, The Hebrew Scriptures, there are many present day authors founded on wisdom.  Paulo Coehlo, for example.

These people enjoy the sense of purpose, knowing the path that works, a path to follow.   -Jeff Speak

  Six Points to Ponder:  

1. The week ahead will be bombarded with weak earning reports and sad GDP numbers.  How might the markets react?  We’re at a very volatile 8000pt Dow.
   2. The Dow at 8077.  S&P 500 at 831. Nasdaq at 1477.  Oil at $46.
   3. John Thain, Merrill Lynch ex-CEO, forced out days after Bank of America completes purchase.  BofA stock is down 40% on the year.
   4. Obama becomes 44th US President in front of record crowd.  Quickly gets down to business.  Guantanamo will end.  Money toward international abortion agencies, over.
   5. Unemployment at 7.2 percent.  Microsoft, latest big dog, to announce cuts.  5,000 current employees.  5,000 contracted employees.
   6. Super Bowl Sunday one week away.  Cardinals vs the Steelers?  Really?!

Positives:

    * There is new energy and hope with a new president.  Nearly 70 percent approval rating.  The next 100 days will prove influential.  He must act swiftly.  He must continue his call to “putting your head down and getting to work”.
    * The Super Bowl always provides a great opportunity for friends and families to come together.
    * It’s Jack Huffman’s 8th birthday today.  Happy Birthday Jack!

Negatives:

    * The next six months are projected by many to be the eye of the storm.  The economic news is not going to be pretty.  The layoffs will continue to make headlines.  New scandals will surely surface.
    * A man took it upon his shoulders to pay out billion dollars in bonus money to his employees before the Bank of America acquisition, all the while covering up much of the true losses ahead.  Greed and ego got the best of Thain.

Services: Nights and Weekend Meetings

If you can’t make it in to go over loan scenarios during your work hours, I am more than happy to meet after hours or any time during the weekend hours.  I want to make sure I am more available than ever to help you take advantage of these awesome rates!

Local:

Santa Barbara Film Festival
Where: Theaters all over town.
When: Through next weekend.
Cost: Varies
Why: See Hollywood Stars up-close.  Watch local, national and foreign films in all genres.

Live and Be Well,

Jeff Bochsler