“Never invest in any idea you can't illustrate with a crayon.” ~Peter Lynch

Investing in the things you value, the things that bring joy—this is a life of examined investment. And though Peter Lynch’s crayon maxim related to investing in stocks and bonds, doesn’t it apply to examined investment, too? The simple things—(your family, your art, your community—can’t you illustrate them with a crayon?

Over the last several months, I’ve spent more than my fair share of time with the honorable William Duffey, a retired federal judge who calls Georgia his home. He’s a man with disciplined sensibilities, the kind who’s devoted himself to an unmatched legal career. It’s this discipline and devotion that’s allowed him to climb the ranks through the military, a big law litigation career, and ultimately all the way up to the federal bench.

Judge Duffey could teach me any number of things (he is a deep well of wisdom), but he’s focused on a singular word: alignment. Examining your value sets, he says. Conform your conduct to those values, he says.

Last week, the judge and I were speaking about marriage and family, about how so many of us say it’s the thing we value most. But does our conduct align with that claim? Are we investing time in that relationship?

“What does your calendar say?” he asked

Huh?

“Does your schedule have time blocked out for Amber? Do you calendar your date nights, block client meetings and phone calls when your wife needs a little help? Do you use your calendar to remind yourself to buy her flowers?”

It was a simple idea (one I could illustrate with a crayon). Use the productivity tool in my pocket, the thing I carry with me wherever I go (my digital calendar), to ensure I’m investing time in my marriage. Why hadn’t I considered it?

Living a Life of Examined Investment: Today, spend some time examining your calendar. Are you investing time in the things you say you care about?

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A Word About These Posts

Over the next year, I’m creating a series of connected pieces, each of which will build on the previous posts. It’s a sober stream of consciousness that began with my Waking series. Where will it go? You’ll have to follow along to find out. So, if you’re not already signed up to receive my daily emails, you know what to do. (And while you’re here, consider picking up my books, Coming Clean and The Book of Waking Up.)