Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favorite?
I do not play music while I write, I understand why people might do it but I like to be in a zone when I write and find anything can easily distract me.
Does writing energize or exhaust you? Or both?
Writing both energizes me and can exhaust me. Typically I write memoir kind of stuff and so as I am recollecting it can energize me as I am looking at how a particular experience taught me potentially something profound. But similar to a good therapy session, once that experience is written about and reflected about, I can become exhausted. And, of course the editing part of things is simply exhausting to me. It seems like every reading will bring out potential edits and I finally have to cut myself off and call the section finished!
How did you come up with the title for your book?
I believe that despite all the daily noise that surrounds the markets and our lives, that it is possible to find ways to ignore that noise and find more peace and less stress regarding our money. Hence, find ways to “Mellow your Money.”
And I also believe that that surfing became a nice metaphor, as despite potential fears of the unknown in the water and how nature can be unpredictable, that we can find that moment of calm while surfing, whether it be in the ocean or in the markets. That moment of calm often happens in the ocean as we narrow our focus or similarly, in the markets as we narrow our focus on the long term. The result is that despite the energy of the ocean or in the markets, by focusing our energy in a productive way, we can reduce our stress and in the long term, build our wealth, hence the sub-title.
How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
After finishing my book I did not have some big celebration because it seemed the process just morphed into the marketing part of things. I think my celebration was more of a slow feeling of accomplishment as I was able to talk about it in a number of podcasts and these type interviews and be able to talk about the ideas and messages from the book. In doing this, the feeling accomplishment meant more than any particular party would have done, maybe next book…
How long did it take you to write this book?
I first wrote some drafts that took place over several years but once I decided to turn some of these blogs into a book I started working with an editor and it took about a year working with her. Finding an editor with a good fit also took some time too as I wanted to find someone with a sense of humor and self awareness so they could easily mesh with my own perspective. The woman I found was hilarious, had an amazing perspective on life and a great ability to bring out my own memories and lessons from my experiences in a fun and readable way. After finishing the writing it probably took another year to publish, doing the editing detail, book cover and fact checking.
How long have you been writing or when did you start?
This was my first book and although I have written blogs and articles. I have really enjoyed being interviewed on podcasts and that may be my next project. Although I have thought to continue with this “Mellow” theme. Maybe “Mellow your politics”? Or “Mellow your dating”? Or “Mellow you parenting”!
What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
Just write and be true to your self. If it’s a memoir, be sure to bring perspective to your experiences so the reader can learn and put themselves in your shoes. And remember what you enjoy reading and bring that same fun and energy to what you write about.
What inspired the idea for your book?
I was so tired of hearing misguided investment advice and thoughts on the news or social media. There is so much emphasis on short term worries that are irrelevant to most investors and yet can easily both scare and impact one’s investing. I wanted people to understand they don’t need the daily stress and I wanted to write a book that was fun and readable so people could also learn in a stress free, and fun way that was not like reading a text book. Life doesn’t need to be so serious and neither do our attitudes on money and investing.
What is the best money you’ve ever spent with regard to your writing?
It was with my editor who was so helpful in bringing out the humor as well as details of my experiences that were key in providing a readable perspective to help the readers see a way to build wealth in a stress free way.
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
I loved looking back at many of my experiences and misadventures that helped me grow both as an investor and as person. It was almost therapeutic in a way teaching me that all our experiences and even those most disagreeable people can be our teachers and with perspective and time can give us a good laugh, often at ourselves!
Mick Heyman, CFA, is the author of “Mellow Your Money: How to Surf the Market and Build Wealth without Stressing Yourself Out” and the Founder of Heyman Investment Counseling. With a distinguished 40-year career in wealth management, Mick has built a reputation for helping individuals and institutions grow and preserve their wealth through a stress-free approach to investing.
Mick began his career at a small firm in Cincinnati before advancing to a role in Louisville, where he managed equity portfolios for a prestigious team overseeing billions in assets. Eventually, he transitioned to San Diego, where he now works closely with individual investors, some of whom have been with him for over three decades. Mick holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Although his formal education is in economics, Mick’s passion for philosophy and psychology has greatly influenced his understanding of market dynamics, emphasizing the role of human emotion in financial decision-making.
In addition to his book, Mick shares his insights on sound money management through articles on LinkedIn and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and other financial publications. His work highlights the importance of a balanced approach to wealth, viewing financial health as integral to overall well-being. Residing in San Diego, Mick enjoys an active lifestyle, engaging in tennis, golf, surfing, and practicing meditation, yoga, and qigong. He also has a deep appreciation for mystery novels and Russian literature. To learn more about Mick’s approach to investing, visit mellowyourmoney.com.