Growing up in Lynn, sports played a big role in shaping who I became. I played football and hockey in high school, and I also boxed in the Silver Mittens and Golden Gloves. Later on, I coached baseball and served as a scoutmaster for seven years, helping several young men earn their Eagle Scout rank. Looking back, the lessons I learned through sports and leadership roles have had just as much impact on my financial career as any classroom ever did. Sports teaches discipline, teamwork, and resilience. These same qualities are just as important in accounting and in helping families and small businesses stay financially secure.
Discipline is the Foundation of Success
One of the first lessons sports teaches is discipline. Whether it was getting up early for hockey practice or spending hours learning how to throw a proper punch in the boxing gym, discipline was something I had to build every day. You cannot reach your goals without consistent effort.
The same mindset applies to financial planning and accounting. A solid financial plan only works if you stay committed. That means budgeting regularly, saving consistently, and keeping track of expenses even when it is not exciting. For small business owners, discipline means keeping good records, staying organized, and reviewing financial reports before making decisions.
In sports, cutting corners usually leads to mistakes or injuries. In finance, cutting corners leads to missed opportunities, unnecessary taxes, or financial stress. A disciplined approach is the groundwork for stability, no matter the field.
Teamwork Creates Stronger Outcomes
Teamwork was always at the heart of every sport I played or coached. In football, it did not matter how talented one player was. Success came when the entire team moved with a shared purpose. The same was true in hockey. You win games when everyone communicates, supports each other, and stays focused on the goal.
In my career, I have learned that financial success also depends on teamwork. Clients are not expected to handle everything on their own. Their accountant, financial advisor, and attorney are part of their team. When everyone works together, the results are better.
This approach becomes especially important in small businesses. Owners need strong teams around them. They need employees they trust, advisors who can guide them, and partners who share their vision. When everyone pulls in the same direction, the business grows stronger and more resilient. Just like in sports, teamwork in finance helps avoid costly mistakes and opens the door to long term success.
Leadership Means Putting Others First
When I coached youth sports and led Boy Scouts, I learned that leadership is not about being the loudest or most skilled person in the room. It is about helping others succeed. As a scoutmaster, I watched boys grow into confident, capable young men because they had adults guiding them, encouraging them, and sometimes giving them a nudge in the right direction.
That same philosophy guides the way I work with clients today. Leadership in finance means taking the time to educate people so they understand their choices. It means listening carefully, being honest even when the truth is hard, and helping families and business owners make decisions that support their long term goals.
Good leadership also requires patience. Athletes do not learn new skills overnight. Young scouts do not become Eagle Scouts without persistence and support. Similarly, building financial strength takes time. Leadership is about helping others stay steady through the ups and downs.
Handling Pressure with Confidence
Sports teaches you how to manage pressure. When you are in the boxing ring with a crowd watching or your hockey team is down by one goal in the final minutes, you learn how to stay calm and think clearly. That ability to stay level under pressure has helped me time and time again throughout my career.
Tax season can feel like the fourth quarter of a tight game. Deadlines approach, questions pile up, and clients rely on you to keep everything organized. Being able to focus under stress is a skill I learned long before I ever became an accountant.
Financial decisions often come with pressure too. Families worry about retirement. Business owners feel the stress of payroll, unexpected expenses, and changing markets. My role is to be steady, reliable, and composed so my clients feel confident even when things get tough.
Resilience Helps You Push Through Challenges
In boxing, you learn quickly that setbacks are part of the journey. You might take a hard hit, but the important thing is getting back up. That resilience has carried me through personal and professional challenges, including the loss of my first wife after an eleven year battle with breast cancer. That period of life taught me more about strength and perseverance than anything else.
Resilience matters in financial planning too. The economy changes. Life throws curveballs. Families face unexpected expenses. Small businesses run into roadblocks. The ability to adjust, recover, and keep moving forward makes all the difference.
When clients face financial challenges, I try to help them stay grounded and see the bigger picture. With the right plan and steady guidance, most obstacles can be overcome.
Final Thoughts
Sports, scouting, and leadership have shaped every part of my life. They taught me to work hard, stay disciplined, trust my team, and stay calm during stressful moments. These same lessons have made me a better accountant and a stronger partner to the families and businesses I work with.
Financial success does not just come from numbers on a spreadsheet. It comes from character, consistency, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when the path gets tough. The lessons I learned on the field and in the ring still guide me every day, and they continue to shape the way I serve my clients and my community.