By Marc C. Shaffer
What The Alchemist Taught Me About Life’s Hallway of Possibility
More than a decade ago, when I first began working with my life coach, Kay Blond, she handed me a copy of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and said, “Read this. Then let’s talk.”
I didn’t know then just how much that small book would shape how I think about goals, personal growth, and even how I show up in my work with clients today.
In the world of financial planning, people often come to us laser-focused on the end goal.
Retirement…Buying a home…Getting out of debt…Funding college.
It’s like walking down a long hallway with your eyes fixed solely on the door at the end. But what if that hallway is lined with other doors; some big, some barely noticeable? What if some of those doors lead to experiences or people who will shift your direction entirely… or help you get to that end goal in a more meaningful way?
That’s what The Alchemist taught me.
The story follows Santiago, a young shepherd boy who dreams of finding treasure near the Egyptian pyramids. What begins as a physical journey quickly becomes a spiritual one. Along the way, Santiago meets teachers, faces setbacks, and is forced to pay attention to signs from the universe; omens, as the book calls them. He learns to trust himself, embrace detours, and stay open to new paths.
That openness is a mindset I’ve learned to carry into my personal and professional life. It’s become a core principle of the way we operate at Searcy Financial® Services and Allos Investment Advisors. Yes, we talk about goals. But we also talk about flexibility. We talk about the winding path, the value of timing, the lessons in the detours, and the richness of building a life that’s aligned with your unique values.
One quote from the book has become almost a mantra for me:
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.”
That idea may sound lofty, but I’ve seen it happen; especially with the book I’m writing, One For All: How to Systemize Kindness, Grow Your Network, and Support Others Like It’s Your Job. I had the vision, but it wasn’t until I started “trying it on,” as Kay always recommends, that the people, ideas, and opportunities began to appear. The team at Streamline Books entered my life at just the right time, and suddenly, this idea that I’d only carried in my head was becoming a reality.
I’ve read The Alchemist a few times since that first recommendation from Kay, and each time it offers something new. But its main lesson never changes: slow down and take notice. Let the journey shape you. Be open to the unexpected. And don’t ignore the small signs that might be nudging you toward something better, something truer, something more you.
This lesson applies far beyond personal development. It applies to how we build relationships, grow our businesses, and support our communities. In my own life, embracing the side doors has led to amazing experiences; joining Rotary, traveling internationally, writing a book, and meeting mentors who changed my life. None of those were on the original “plan.” But they’ve become essential parts of my story.
If you haven’t read The Alchemist, I can’t recommend it enough. And if you have read it, maybe it’s time to pick it up again. You never know which door it might open next.