December 2023 marks 120 years since the Wright brothers made their first flight in a Kitty Hawk in North Carolina. The flight lasted just 12 seconds but proved sustained flight of a heavier-than-air machine was possible and cemented Orville and Wilbur Wright’s names in the history books.
The Wright brothers became synonymous with aviation and opened the door for modern air travel. While known for their success in flying the world’s first motor-operated plane, their approach could provide some useful financial lessons too.
1. Set your sights on a goal
A goal provides the motivation you need to be successful, and it certainly drove the Wright brothers to make progress even when they faced setbacks.
In 1899, the brothers started testing flying machines when many people said it couldn’t be done. In fact, just nine weeks before their historic flight, the New York Times declared it would take between 1 million and 10 million years to develop aeroplanes.
Your goals don’t have to be as lofty as those of the Orville and Wilbur, but setting your sights on a target really helps drive your financial plan, whether you want to retire early, be in a position to gift money to loved ones, or launch your own business.
2. Don’t expect overnight success
While the Wright brothers are known for what they ultimately achieved, there were plenty of setbacks along the way.
During their early experiments, they identified three key roadblocks – a way to control the aircraft, an efficient wing design, and a propulsion system to power the flight. Rather than these challenges knocking them off course, they set about problem-solving.
Whatever your goal, you might face setbacks along the way and a long journey to reach it. Remember, success rarely happens overnight and small steps in the right direction will lead to huge progress over time.
3. Choose a method that’s right for you
The Wright brothers didn’t follow conventions when they were carrying out experiments. While other aviation enthusiasts focused on engine power, they instead prioritised the pilot control system.
While both these components were essential for a successful flight, the different perspective was instrumental in their achievement.
It’s a useful reminder that following the crowd doesn’t always deliver the best outcomes. So, next time you’re tempted to use your money in a certain way because everyone else is, ask yourself: “Is this the best option for me?”
4. Track what’s working (and what isn’t)
The Wright brothers tested their designs for plans in a wind tunnel to gather information. To create a design that could fly, they tracked what worked and made adjustments. In 1901, it’s estimated they tested between 100 and 200 wings in the wind tunnel alone, which allowed them to fine-tune their design.
Regular financial reviews will help you track what’s working for you, and where adjustments could be useful.
5. Take measured risks
Becoming the first people to fly certainly comes with risks, not least the chance of crashing. But the Wright brothers carefully analysed risks and didn’t unnecessarily put themselves in danger.
They were disciplined during their early flights. For instance, they limited how high they’d go during their earlier experiments, which were often conducted on the beach to provide a softer landing.
Their view of risk was prudent but not overly cautious. They understood the risks associated with flying and took what steps they could to reduce them. They knew measured risks were essential if they were to log the hours in the sky needed to achieve a breakthrough.
Investing could provide you with a way to grow your wealth, but as all investments carry some risk, you need to balance risks and potential rewards – an approach the Wright brothers handled exceptionally well.
6. Government support alone might not be enough to achieve your goals
Aviation pioneer Samuel Langley was working on his flying machine at the same time as the Wright brothers, and some believed he would achieve the goal first.
In fact, he received a grant of $50,000 from the War Department based on the success of his models, as well as financial support from the Smithsonian. In contrast, the Wrights self-funded their experiments. Yet, it’s the Wrights whose names are remembered.
While government support can be incredibly useful, it’s not the only ingredient for success. It’s a lesson that rings true when you’re planning for retirement too.
You might be entitled to a State Pension, which could provide a reliable income throughout retirement, but it’s unlikely to secure the lifestyle you want by itself. Instead, it will usually need to be combined with other assets.
7. Know when you’d benefit from expert advice
The Wright brothers didn’t work on their projects alone and they didn’t shy away from seeking advice. When they needed it, they asked for help from specialist engineers, weather experts, aeronautic professionals and more.
It’s an approach that helped them hone their knowledge, build new skills, and, ultimately, successfully fly the world’s first motor-operated airplane.
The importance of recognising when you’d benefit from expert advice throughout your life could be invaluable too. In terms of finances, our experts help to identify the tax breaks that are right for you, how to invest with your goals in mind, and how to create long-term financial security that offers peace of mind.
Risk warnings
Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.