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Advisor Perspectives welcomes guest contributions. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of Advisor Perspectives.
I have my dream job. How do I know that?
I get to help advisors I respect, who, in return, make a positive impact on the lives of their clients. What could be better?
There’s another way I know I made the right career choice. I don’t have to do it.
That independence converts a “job” into a “choice.” I get to choose with whom I work, which is why I limit my practice to evidence-based advisors.
I can even choose to help worthy advisors who are just starting out and can’t afford my fees.
There are other aspects of my job that make me happy. I can’t be fired (except by my clients). I can limit conference calls and meetings to maximize my productivity. I get to hire the members of my team and can make adjustments to maximize value for the unique requirements of each client.
No wonder I look forward to working every day.
How about you?
Passionate or passionless?
I divide advisors I meet into two groups: Passionate and passionless.
I can tell a passionate advisor immediately. They are excited about their work. They have strong views about helping their clients, their investment philosophy, and the value they add.
As Dana Benarroch explains in this article in Entrepreneur, people who are passionate about their careers feel “fully committed.” They derive “pleasure, energy, enthusiasm and vitality” from their work.
They lead “meaningful lives,” derived from serving others. Doing so gives meaning to their own existence.
Passionless advisors are different. They view their workday as a grind. Their goal is to support themselves and their family. They don’t believe being a financial advisor is reflective of their life’s purpose. If these advisors won the lottery, they would quit their job and pursue other activities, reflective of their true passions.
Discover your passion
There’s another group of advisors, and I’ve been surprised at how often I hear their lament.
They know they weren’t put on earth to be financial advisors, but they can’t identify alternatives that would align with their passions. They believe being a financial advisor is the equivalent of “the devil I know.”
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Benarroch observes: “If you still do not know how to monetize your passions and your life purpose, it does not mean that it does not exist. It just means you haven't seen it yet. Your duty is to discover it, and fly!”
If you’re in this category, you might not find this advice helpful. How do you go about discovering your passion? How do you find a job that will give your life meaning? One that will make you excited to get out of bed each morning? Where “working” doesn’t feel like “work”? Where you feel you are making a positive impact?
Be ruthlessly candid with yourself. Does being a financial advisor excite you? Can you imagine (and would you prefer) doing something else?
It’s hard to solve a problem you don’t acknowledge.
If you decide it’s time to explore another career, ask yourself what activities give you pleasure. How do you spend your spare time? What do you enjoy reading?
Talk to friends and family. Ask them for ideas. You’ll be surprised at how others perceive your situation and the ideas they have for you.
Do some research. There are many articles that provide useful guidance on this subject.
Above all, don’t settle. It’s depressing to think of spending the majority of your time on earth in a career that doesn’t inspire you. It’s not fair to you or to your clients.
You both deserve better.
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Advisor Perspectives welcomes guest contributions. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of Advisor Perspectives.