Race to the south pole: Robert Scott wanted to be the first man to reach the South Pole. For 77 days, his team struggled against harsh winds, freezing temperatures, and heavy blizzards. On 17 January 1912, they reached the South Pole. But sadly he had been beaten. Roald Amundsen had reached the pole almost a month earlier. He left a tent and a letter addressed to the King of Norway with a request for Scott to deliver it.
Scott wrote in his diary: “The Pole….Great God! This is an awful place and terrible enough for us to have labored to it without the reward of [winning]. Well, it is something to have got here, … Now for the run home and a desperate struggle. I wonder if we can do it.” Scott was right to harbor doubts. The team had struggled to reach the pole. And they would struggle on the way back. Tragically, none of them made it back.
Med-school drop-out beats British Naval Office:
How did Amundsen, a college-dropout, beat Scott, an officer in the British Royal Navy?
It’s a secret all smart moms know: they plan ahead. Like when they are taking the little one out. They pack some snacks, take a change of clothes, diapers, small toys, wipes… Here are just three things that the two explorers did differently:
1. Over preparing: Amundsen stored three tons of supplies for five men. Scott stored just one ton.
3. Using the right equipment: Amundsen used sled dogs to haul heavy loads. Scott used motor sleds and ponies that were unsuitable for the south pole.
3. Sweating the details: Amundsen’s team wore Inuit style clothing, made entirely out of furs; and wore them loose to allow for the loss of sweat during exertion. Scott’s men wore woolen underwear with windproof outer layers. With no ventilation, their sweat froze in the clothes.
Amundsen had thought through – and planned for – the challenges of the journey.
How to plan for your child’s future?
Smart moms plan, not just for the baby’s day out, but also for the days far in the future. With a baby, there are some large expenses ahead: education (from enrolling them in international schools) and wedding being the largest.
Have you planned for them? Is your plan right?
Join me for a webinar (details below) on how to go about planning for your child’s future financial needs. I will share with you some simple ideas: on how to think about planning; on what to avoid and what to do. And I promise no jargon and just a tiny bit of arithmetic. After all, we are talking about money.
PS: The Amundsen–Scott is a sad tale but here is a happy note. The USA has constructed a research station on the south pole and named it the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station. And here is what it looks like:
Failing to plan is planning to fail:
In my next blog post, I’ll talk about the five mistakes people make when they fail to plan for their child’s future.
An initiative of AutoFi, in association with Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company.
Worried about investments? Here’s how you can make wise decisions.
The example you have given is so wonderful to know and learn from. Their experiences did teach that planning ahead is so important. I am saving this blog and discussing it with my friends too.
Not only smart mother but every one should read this article…we all need to do our all responsibility smartly with a wise vision..and. If it’s come to our child thn it’s an important task for all mother to act and take smart decisions before..we really need take all financial decisions for them early age or sometimes before that.. practical message for all
Such articles and webinars are important to parents for planning a child’s future and for mental peace in the future. well written👍
The article is very helpful. People often say that planning ahead is sweating out but it looks like the planning part is really helpful. The reasons given here are valid and useful.
I do invest in stocks and mutual funds but haven’t heard of autofi. I will do my research and will start saving for my child’s future.
This is indeed a perfectly penned post. Its really important to plan kids future and still not to cross thin line between parenting n over parenting… Loved reading this
Who knows what the future will bring to us. We have to be very diligent while planning for the future. specially if it is for our kids.
Interesting how you explained it and did the comparison with motherhood. I agree that moms plan way beyond they could. That’s one reason why moms are born worry too.
Very insightful post for all the parents looking for the best ways to step ahead when it comes to their child’s future. There is a thin line between parenting and over parenting that every parents must know I am so sure this webinar will clear all the dilemmas and chaos we parents go through.
It’s very important to plan about kids future, I am sure that this post is gonna help many parents to plan their kids future in proper way.
What an interesting story and excellent analogy. indeed, planning makes all the difference – definitely something parents need to be super aware of and manage regularly
The analogy of Scott and Amundsen is a very apt one and illustrates your point unambigiously. It is really neccessary to plan for the major milestones in llife and one of them has to be your kids future.
I like the innovative approach you have taken to show the importance of planning. In uncertain circumstances, it’s best to take a 360 degree view. Am sure the webinar will be a super success.
This post will definitely help many parents to plan their kids future in an organized manner.planning is really important
This days it is really hard to predict the future and when it is something related to the future of the kids there is no other option other than to become smart parents. Planning is something which is important not just for kid’s future but also for own retirement life too
Today’s time of unpredictability smart planning is so important to be on safer side. this webinar looks to be amazing initiative and help lots of parents to plan better for their child’s future and upcoming education needs.
The example you have given is so wonderful to know and learn from. Their experiences did teach that planning ahead is so important. I am saving this blog and discussing it with my friends too.
This is so true. I know about Mom is Smart plan ahead for their child’s future. Saving and planning so important future better must. Well writing article post and very nice information . Thanks for sharing.
This was an eyeopener. We all know about savings and planning for future but how to start is what remains the questions for many. I have saved this one and will be sharing it with others too.
Being futuristic and planning for family is a good habit. The webinar looks to have many pointers for parents who do not know how to plan and where to invest.
Yes during recent era of unpredictability smart planning is so important to be on safer side. this webinar is an amazing initiative and help lots of parents to plan better for their child’s future and upcoming education needs.
Being proactive is always a smart idea. Future is unpredictable and we have witness that very well in past years. It is better to spend some time today in planning rather than waiting for the moment and then take steps.
Very well said failing to plan is playing to fail. One needs to be proactive when it comes to any playing and for financial planning for kid’s is all the more important as education cost has reached peak. Would love to attended this session.
nice article