FROM THE BLOG

I’ll admit, I am an avid reader. I read anything and everything, but in bits and pieces. The articles that stick with me are the ones where I feel like independent financial advisors can continue to grow into better business owners with a few tweaks here and there that are quick, easy to understand and actually doable. The below is a compilation of various articles and books I have read into one bite-sized list.

I, for one, am still working on a few of these- well, almost all of them. Please join me!

1. Give up perfection.  If you are a perfectionist (like me) sometimes you can get stuck in a rut where you can’t get going on something. You are either left with procrastinating rolling something out until it’s “just right” or end up driving yourself insane in the process. The other option here is to “just do it”. We aren’t talking rolling out something sub-par, but something good enough that the wrinkles can be ironed out without most people even noticing.
   Lesson: Better to get up and go than stay in park.

2. Give up being stuck. I’m not saying you should give up totally on your goals here. What I’m saying is that you should accept that some things or people are not a “fit” or are simply not meant to be. This will make you stronger, happier and healthier in the long run.
   Lesson: Move on.

3. Give up negativity. I’m not saying become this over the top optimist that is unrealistic and naïve. I’m saying to accept positive things as they happen and enjoy the moment. A difficult client relationship or tumultuous market can be wearing.
   Lesson: Enjoy the small victories and reprieves.

4. Give up disillusionment. When a project gets bumpy or a personal or client relationship is hitting the skids or is tenuous, don’t fall into the trap that all is lost and hopeless. What did your parents always tell you?  Probably something along the lines of:
   Lesson: “Nothing worthwhile comes easy.” Pretty clear, eh?

5. Give up being derailed. Derailment can come from all angles, it could be a person, your personal life issues infiltrating your workday, and all the whirlwind of just “stuff” that comes up during the course of the day that feel urgent but truly are not. Getting caught up in the whirlwind is my #1 problem when I get derailed. Everyone pulling and only one me. Sound familiar? The best way to tackle this is through prioritizing goals and the whole team working towards these common goals. You’d be amazed the difference this can make in your focus.
   Lesson: Develop team or company-wide goals so that everyone is focused on a common goal.

6. Give up self-doubt. Always doubting ourselves can lead to many obstacles like feeling stuck, procrastinating, anxiety, etc. It can also cause us to never dream or think bigger and better. Stop judging yourselves. I guarantee it’s harsher than the way others think of you.
   Lesson: Lean on your successes- you are better than you think.

7. Give up being confused. This one is easy so we will go straight to the lesson.
   Lesson: The definition of insanity is what? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Try a new way. It’s that simple.

8. Give up playing it safe. When talking to advisors contemplating a move or new business strategy, this is the #1 obstacle to them being successful. I get it- this is your family’s livelihood and a huge deal if you mess it up. BUT, I would suggest that playing it safe is actually the riskiest thing you can do in your business or practice. You get stuck, fall behind the times and become disengaged and unhappy. There are many ways to grow- emotionally, spiritually, financially, intellectually- it’s not all on paper.  BUT-
   Lesson: Not growing is dying. GROW.

Until next week,

Posted by Tarah Carlow Senior Vice President, Marketing & Advisor Loyalty