Who you are - Not just what do you do

Getting Real.

Imagine in your mind's eye that you're at a cocktail party and you are introduced to...let's say me.  We begin to talk a little and you ask me what I do for a living. Let's say that I respond with "I am a financial advisor."  If I told you that, I would be leaving you to discern what it is that I actually do for a living and also what sort of person I am.

Most people relate to a "financial advisor" as one that sells and manages investments.  Is that all I do?  Is that who I am?  No, not even close.  

How are people understanding who you are and how you're unique?

The world has enough financial advisors, financial planners, wealth managers, estate planners, 401(k) specialists, business benefits advisors, insurance agents etc.  My clients chose me because of me, not just for the fact that I am all those professionals mentioned and more.  

Of course: professional competency is crucial for not only your success but for your employer and customers.  I am suggesting that you let people know both sides - be authentic.   

“Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable,

be honest and transparent anyway.” - Mother Teresa

When you talk to people about yourself - be real, show them who you really are and what you care about.  Show them you!  Ask them to tell you their story which will give you permission to tell them yours.  One caveat - really listen and care.  

I chose my auto mechanic and mortgage professional because I saw who they really were - not just what they did.  Could someone have fixed my cars or obtained a mortgage for me just as well - perhaps.  I just know that I chose them, because of them.  And because of them - I am sticking with them!

If I was about to entrust my life savings with an investment professional, I'd rather know her well, rather than simply rely on my opinion of her car, house, job title or status (think Bernie Madoff).

I chose my career path because I truly want to help people live fulfilling lives and leave lasting legacies.  I want to see people enjoy and get the most out of life.  I work hard so my clients don't have to worry.  I instill peace-of-mind in my clients.  


I leave you with this.  This is a paragraph taken from a document of mine called my PoD.  This document was very difficult to create.  It reminds me daily of who I am, who I aspire to be, to whom I give credit and to those I serve.  I read it each morning and listen to the audio recording of it every night.  I'm sharing it (albeit scared to death) so that hopefully one day you'll share yours.    

"...I am a modern day knight making eternal and impactful changes in people’s lives being in tireless service to God creating and enriching relationships wherever I go. I bring both financial and relational hope and peace of mind to all of whom God calls on me to serve..."

Now it's your turn.

The Life / Purpose Correlation

Seeking balance - Living on purpose

As many of us are somewhere on the path to achieving success and taking special efforts to define our goals, vision and hopefully purpose, are we being shortsighted?  

Let me ask...What does your life look like when you are there?  What happened along the way to getting there?  Was it a race or a journey? What affect on others did you have?  

Everything that we do or don’t do in life comes down to making choices - one thing over another or one thing over countless alternatives.  How do we know that each decision is best for us?  How do we measure our decisions along the way – everyday?  Do we even measure, take stock or spend time in reflection?

Most of my colleagues and friends are entrenched these days in some part of the process of self-improvement.  Many are executives and business owners striving for success.  Thankfully, many of these people are intent upon defining or living-out their well-defined vision and purpose in life.  Purpose, that’s what it all boils down to.

I write and teach about things relating to financial planning, investing and stewardship.  My profession, especially from the standpoint of being a Qualified Kingdom Advisor, allows me the opportunity of learning about people’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations as well as what they fear and what they wish to avoid.  People seek my advice and management regarding financial planning, investing, insurance etc.  Sometimes what they receive in return goes far beyond what they had expected, perhaps more than simply rolling over that old 401(k) plan.

In my book that I hope will be published soon, I speak about the common disconnect from our core values (Who we truly are and what we really care about) from the way in which we live our lives and manage our possessions (time, talents, abilities, money).  It is precisely at this point in which I could write a novel for you now, however for your sake – I will restrain myself.

The point that I am hoping to make today is this:  I suggest that we all conduct a self-assessment to discover if who we really are is being 100% reflected by how we live and how we use our gifts.  If there is not 100% correlation, then perhaps we are holding back greater achievements and greater good.

Here is a great FREE online resource that you can use right now to see if you are living your purpose and if not - what it might just be:

As we seek to find and live our purpose, ensure that you maintain balance in your life.  Many remarkable people have amassed incredible success and fortunes only to realize late in life that despite their massive achievements, what  they had become - is not who they truly “are.”

One question that I often will ask my clients is this: 

"If money were no longer a concern and you no longer had to work - what would you do with your life?"  You slowly begin to free your mind to focus in on what you indeed would truly like to do with your remaining years.  What would bring you happiness beyond measure?  Find that and you are one step closer to finding your purpose.

Most likely, you do still have to work - just like me.  Hopefully it is something that is fulfilling for you.  If not, do your best your very best.

Here's the trick - you've identified your purpose, now is there a way to involve that in your life right now is some capacity?  I bet you there is.  And I bet you that if you align your "entire life" around that, you will be far happier than you have ever been. Moreover, you will notice that the way in which you "steward" all your gifts will now be more intentional, less about immediate gratification and more towards something that will bring you and others immeasurable joy.

Here is a clip from my friends at Generous Giving (www.generousgiving.org). This is a prime example of a successful superstar that did and had it all only to find himself empty at the finish line.  It is however another new and different sort of success story in the end.  Once he recognized that there was more to life than what he had known, he turned his world on its head and made a huge impact on himself and others.

Here is a book, make that an amazing book that will change your life, but only if you are willing to be and live and authentic life.  Borrow mine, get it at the library, but just get it and read it!

Please send me your comments as you go along.  The later half of the book is really what made a huge impact in my own life.

Make your life a story that one day you will want to read to your grandchildren ;)
Here is a piece I use with my clients to help facilitate the dialogue of finding balance in life.  In that conversation defining purpose and exercising good stewardship are intentional results we aim to discover and plan for.