Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Today, I’d like to tell you something about my vision as a financial advisor and life coach.

First of all, I encourage you, as my client, to delegate the financial details of your life to me and my firm (while, at the same time, retaining ultimate control of your money), because the time you save is time you can spend with people you like and on activities you enjoy. I provide advice for your personal questions and decisions and then carry out your wishes, so that your life isn’t taken up with those concerns.

As a financial life planner, one of my basic tenets is that you should use your money to make a life, rather than using your life to make money. To that end, I will assist you in establishing financial goals that facilitate your life goals. I will encourage you to commit to those goals and help you gain confidence. My view is long term, but I recognize that life is constantly changing and that short-term challenges are always a possibility. During those times, I’ll help you stay the course and overcome obstacles.

One of my goals is to help you anticipate and understand normal life transitions, and, then, help you create a fulfilling vision for that new life phase. Retirement is one major chapter of life that requires a lot of planning and preparation, both before and during retirement.

Previously, retirement money was treated as an end in itself instead of as a tool for achieving goals in all areas of life. I encourage a flexible life plan that provides for your financial, vocational, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Therefore, I will guide you through an analysis of some key questions: How will retirement change your lifestyle? What are you most looking forward to, and what would an ideal week be like? Will you ‘redefine’ yourself, exploring long-unexpressed potentials? What are your biggest fears regarding retirement?

Many individuals view their retirement years as a time when their personal dreams can finally be realized. However, in order to make retirement happy and productive, you need to have a strategy (which I can help you develop, if you like) to replace roles you previously obtained from a job or career. Work does more than provide you with an income stream; it also contributes to self-esteem, status, structure, and a sense of usefulness.

Since I would like a long-term professional relationship with you, I will make every effort to know you personally and to treat you as a unique individual. I’ll be with you as you pursue your goals, doing my best to lend support, wisdom, and guidance. And, since I want to insure that you receive the personal attention you deserve and expect, I’ll keep my client list to a limited, manageable number.

Having a holistic financial life plan─that has money as a component of your life but not as its central core─will provide you with a life that is rich, meaningful, and full of purpose.