There’s so much good news to share about the continued ripple effect that “Odds On” is making around the globe, it’s hard to know where to begin. Here are a few highlights.

Now Hear This: “Odds On” Audiobook, Narrated by Matt Hall

If you’re looking for a way to thank friends, family and colleagues this holiday season, think about stuffing their sock with the audio version of “Odds On.” Two reasons why:

1. Initially, we hired a professional voice artist to narrate the book. That just didn’t feel right, so we replaced pseudo-Matt with the real deal, personally telling his tale.
2. As we post this blog, the audio version is priced at $3.49, so you can splurge on one for yourself while you’re at it. Enjoy!

“Odds On,” a Dutch Treat

Partnering with several like-minded colleagues in the Netherlands, “Odds On” is now available in Dutch! Bringing the world closer together through technology and evidence-based investing, Matt was honored to participate in a well-attended intercontinental web conference in the Benelux region (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg). In particular, we’d like to thank Robert Van Beek of About Life & Finance B.V., who translated the book and facilitated the conference; and Jeffrey de Haan and David Swanwick of Dimensional Fund Advisors’ Benelux and U.K. offices, respectively.

Hands Down, Thumbs Up, Near and Far

Speaking of global outreach, we’ve received so many heartwarming endorsements from groups and individuals whose lives have been touched by Matt’s book. Every one of them is special to us, but to name a couple of recent highlights:

1. The respected INSEAD Business School for the World® has featured “Odds On” on the bestseller page in their library, currently at #7 as we write this post.
2. We also were touched to see financial tech-head Greg Elliott mention “Odds On” in an Orion software newsletter interview (page 8).

To the general public, that second one may not seem like such a big deal. But among us financial types, Orion is a very familiar name as one of our most important software service providers. It’s fun to see our message spread in ways we could not have imagined when we began the journey.

On the eve of the presidential elections, how to survive and make best use of our time here on earth may be even more top of mind than usual. What better time to share a recent piece by Fast Company’s Laura Vanderkam: “Cancer Survivors Share Hard-Won Lessons On Managing Time Well.” Beyond being fascinating in its own rights, the article features our own Matt Hall reflecting on his experience living with leukemia (a subject he also explores more extensively in his book, “Odds On.”)

When Matt was hit with the bad news in 2006 (only about a year after co-founding Hill Investment Group), he found it hard to sustain his usual “Take the Long View” outlook. As Vanderkam’s article relates:

“[Matt] recalls being in his car afterward. His wife was driving. He looked out the window and saw other people in their cars, heads moving to the music. ‘Life goes on, but in my car it felt like life was at a standstill.’”

Fortunately, Matt and his doctors found a treatment that has enabled him to effectively manage his chronic disease during the decade since. If anything, his commitment to long-view living is even stronger, with an intense approach to living every day. (Although those of us who have known Matt for years would debate whether that’s really all that new!)

In summarizing Matt’s and other cancer survivors’ experiences, the article wraps: “For all the different reactions, one theme emerges: Surviving tends to make people think that there is no point wasting time and energy on things that are neither meaningful nor enjoyable.”

As you consider this and future elections, you may want to heed Matt’s and his fellow survivors’ life experiences. Focus on the details you can control in your life. Don’t “fool around with small stuff,” as Matt advises. Hire someone else to mow your lawn. If you have been longing to do something … do it.

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Everyone loves a top 10 list!  This month Matt was asked to create a top 10 list for investors.  Many of you who know him will not be surprised by his answers.

Matt was honored to be featured in a publication like Sophisticated Living that is distributed to over 14,000 affluent Saint Louisans.  Be sure to pick up a copy this month (and check out page 104 where you can read “The 10 Things (Investors) Cannot Live Without”).

You can click the image or click here to read the digital magazine.