How do you explain setbacks and unfortunate events, such as the stress of having to call a very difficult client after the market tanks, to yourself? How do you persevere and remain resilient under adverse circumstances, which are part and parcel of every financial services professional’s career? Do you look at setbacks as overwhelming catastrophes […]
Continue readingDuring these days of relative market flatness, with no negative economic or world events looming, advisors find it relatively easy to deal with the variety of personality types in their financial practice. But, when the market inevitably tanks or develops remarkable volatility, it is obviously very unsettling. One of the main reasons is because those […]
Continue readingPsychologist Martin Seligman, the father of the “Positive Psychology” movement, has spent the latter part of his career conducting research into the character strengths and life components that consistently define happiness. Many financial advisors with whom I have worked with, complain that although they make a very comfortable living, they would not describe themselves as truly […]
Continue readingIn essence, all of our stress is actually self-imposed. What do I mean by that? Events and situations that advisors deal with do not cause advisor stress. It’s not the event, but your interpretation of the event that either causes stress or relaxed feelings. The choice is yours. It’s all about the conversations you have […]
Continue readingDeveloping a successful business means standing out from the competition, whether you’re in finance, healthcare, sales, HR, legal services, or any other industry. One way to do that is by making your clients a part of your business’s “family” – showing that you value them as clients and as individuals. There are many ways you […]
Continue readingGame 7 of the NBA champion series was the most highly rated sports show in decades. Here was the defending champion, Golden State Warriors, and they were playing at home for the championship. LeBron’s team (the Cleveland Cavaliers) had been down 3 games to 1 before they tied it up at 3-3. Never before had […]
Continue readingRecent changes to health insurance laws have caused dramatic shifts in the careers of independent health insurance agents. Changes in commission structure and competition from health insurance navigators have led independent agents to feel fear and stress. Fortunately, help is available. The professional organization Health Agents of America (HAFA) is looking out for independent agents, […]
Continue readingI was recently in a doctor’s office, and he related to me that he is suffering from “provider burnout.” Sadly, this is something that is becoming more and more common among professionals in all types of service-based industries. Is this a new epidemic or just the result of a more common and easily fixable problem? […]
Continue readingI am currently reading a fabulous book, Confidence: How Winning Streaks and Losing Streaks Begin and End, by Rosabeth Moss Kanter, from the Harvard Business School. As I read, I am struck by how she defines true leaders, including those who are the stewards of our wealth. In my experience working with the financial services […]
Continue readingStress mastery is an important skill for everyone, regardless of their career or industry. For financial advisors, stress mastery can help you perform better under pressure and better deal with difficult clients. The key to stress mastery is understanding that events themselves do not cause your stress – you cause your own stress by the […]
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