Whales, Minnows and Your Financial Plan - Focus Your Attention

I’m a collector of short, powerful statements that stop me in my tracks by triggering a surprise ‘A-HA!’ moment. Here’s one that was new to me last year:

Standing on a whale, fishing for minnows. 

-Polynesian proverb

When it comes to my personal financial plan, this expression nudged me to wonder, of all of the elements that I’m trying to make sense of, which are the whales and which are the minnows? And more worryingly, how much of my time am I wasting on flashy, attention-grabbing minnows while I neglect the foundational whales?

A few of the whales that I’ve been thinking about lately include risk, inflation, retirement planning and tax efficiency.

The minnows that keep trying to grab my attention include trendy stocks, ‘expert’ predictions about the upcoming changes in the markets and fees.

Growing Agency Through Uncertainty

On this first day of 2026, my whales and minnows are set against a backdrop of uncertainty that feels like spilled ink, spreading and tainting so many things. As an investor, it is also confusing: how is the S&P 500 brushing all time highs in the middle of so many chaotic subplots?

I do not want this widespread uncertainty to strip me of my essential sense of personal agency.

One by one, I’m going to have a close look at the whales, the foundational parts of my financial plan, and make thoughtful adjustments to keep myself looking forward through 2026 into a future that I hope will brim with the things that matter most to me. 

I’ll post a few of my thoughts about the whales along the way. And, although the minnows will continue to momentarily capture my attention, I’m aiming to keep moving forward, channeling my efforts to make meaningful changes to the elements of my financial plan that I can control.

Stay tuned here for a few glimpses of the concepts I will be using as guideposts in this journey.

Debra Wilson Financial Education provides a series of financial education services for working Canadians, young and old, who are seeking to build their financial independence. 

Online, self-paced financial education modules are available through the Worth Knowing Essentials Series. 

A limited number of One-on-One Personal Financial Education Consultations are also available. In 2026, I will also be adding theme based in-person financial experience workshops. Check out all of my current offerings at debrawilsonfinancialeducation.ca