There’s no archetype for a successful financial advisor. That’s what’s great about this career; it fits many different personality types and styles.
There are, however, some habits that can help all financial advisors excel both professionally and personally. Here are a few that make a big difference.
1. Don’t Wake up to Work
Instead of checking your phone immediately when you wake up, consider keeping an interesting book next to the bed or engaging in a few yoga exercises to begin your day. There will be time later to begin checking messages and social media. There is no need to plunge into work the moment you wake up.
2. Focus On Things That Are Within Your Control
There are a lot of things that you do not have control over in your work as a financial advisor–the stock market, clients’ actions, etc. Don’t obsess over outcomes or rejection. Instead, focus on activities that are within your control.
These can include prospecting activities such as emails, marketing, and calls. Successful financial advisors keep a growth mindset. Keep a lookout for better ways to work and connect so that you can build your client base and reach your goals, but don’t dwell on things you can’t change.
3. Daily Exercise
Even if you don’t have time or energy for exercise, a short walk or 10 minutes of stretching, or some other physical activity can help you be more focused and feel more energized, especially if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Exercise can help you get out of your head for a little bit and prioritize what you need to do afterward. It can focus your work and lift your mood.
4. Do the Hardest Things When You’re Feeling Your Best
We all have daunting tasks, and we all know what it’s like to procrastinate them. Decide what activities you need to prioritize and block out time to accomplish them when you are at your best.
For instance, if you have a hard time making phone calls while prospecting but you’re at your best in the morning, make calls when you first get to the office. Remove distractions that might sidetrack you.
5. Connect With Clients Consistently
Maintain good client relationships by reaching out on a regular basis. Set reminders to help you remember when to send check-in emails or phone calls. These small investments of time will go a long way in maintaining client relationships.
6. Keep Up With Industry Trends
Stay involved with investing trends that clients are interested in, as well as how clients prefer to meet in terms of social media and communication formats. Be in contact with other advisors and firms so that you can keep up with constant changes within wealth management.
7. Use Strategies to Boost Productivity
Find ways to make the best use of your time during your work day. Keep a schedule. Give yourself deadlines. Keep tabs on whether your strategies are working. If not, take a look at delegating certain tasks that take up a lot of your time but that someone else or a computer program could do. That way, you can use that extra time and energy to devote to tasks that only you can do. You will be more productive when you work on what is engaging to you.
8. Set Short and Long-Term Goals
Just like you won’t find your destination without a map, you won’t advance in your career without clear goals. Write your goals down to make them feel more concrete. Start with the long-range goals and then set short-term goals as a step-by-step guide to reaching them.
Place them somewhere where you can see them consistently. Make time to periodically review them.
Nobody develops every good habit overnight, but pick a couple of these to work on for the next few months. And if you’re looking for an experienced coach to motivate and mentor you regularly, I help provide inspiration and accountability for financial planners. Contact me for independent financial advisor coaching today.
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Financial advising is a unique profession that embraces diverse personalities and methodologies. Key practices, such as pivotal habits, can significantly redefine the trajectory of financial advisors, enabling them to achieve holistic accomplishment in their vocation and personal lives. These transformative practices transcend convention and provide a roadmap for financial advisors to achieve their full potential.
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