We often assume that our financial story depends on the hand we’re dealt.
Some people appear to start with more options.
Others feel they’ve been playing catch-up from the very beginning.
But the hand is only the starting point.
What matters far more is how you choose to play it.
I see this in planning all the time.
Some clients arrive with what looks like a strong position - good income, healthy pensions, supportive employer schemes.
But even then, things can drift if decisions are made reactively or without a clear sense of direction.
Others arrive convinced they’re “behind” or “late.”
And yet, once they begin making steady, intentional choices, they often make more progress than they ever expected.
Because the truth is simple:
You can lose playing a strong hand without intention.
You can move forward playing a harder hand with clarity and consistency.
So what does it actually look like to “play your hand well”?
1. You take responsibility for the next move.
Life gives each of us a mix of opportunities and constraints.
You can’t change the starting hand - but every decision you make shapes what comes next.
Small steps count.
2. You focus on decisions, not conditions.
You can’t control markets, inflation, interest rates, or political cycles.
But you can control your behaviours, your strategy, and how engaged you are with your plan.
That matters more than most people realise.
3. You seek clarity, not shortcuts.
Good decisions don’t come from guesses.
They come from understanding your situation, knowing what matters to you, and making choices that line up with that - not someone else’s version of success.
4. You stay in the game.
Progress is rarely dramatic.
It comes from regular check-ins, small adjustments, and showing up even when life is busy.
Consistency will take you further than ideal circumstances ever could.
At Town Close, we don’t focus on whether your starting hand is “good enough.”
We focus on helping you play it well - calmly, confidently, and in a way that supports the life you want to live.
If you’re thinking about your next step, or you’re unsure how to play the hand you have, we’re here - no pressure, just a conversation.