Cn0ra/iStock/Getty Images
1. I resolve to give the “gift of time” to myself and to my clients.
Creative-Family/iStock/Getty Images
I resolve to not only fight the urge to trade time for money, but to actually spend money in a way to free up my time. And I resolve to encourage my clients to consider doing the same as we discuss their financial plans and future goals. When money is used in a time-saving way (like grocery delivery) versus buying material goods, there is a greater positive impact on our emotional wellbeing. Yet, when we are given the option, only about 2% of people consciously choose to spend their money in a way to save time rather than buying something tangible.
Dr. Dan Pallesen
Financial Adviser and Chief of Investor Behavior
Keystone Wealth Partners
Chandler, Ariz.
2. I resolve to make sure I am continuing to push myself out of my comfort zone when it comes to technology and the digital world.
Christian Horz/iStock/Getty Images
The pandemic proved we no longer need to be in the same room with our clients. Technological advances and the growing importance of social media and having a digital presence can seem daunting, yet it is so important to become comfortable and stay on top of these. In 2022, it will be more important than ever for me to feel comfortable and confident in front of a camera to ensure that I get my message out to the women who need my services. Through continued networking with other divorce experts, I will engage with more social media events and podcasts.
Hollis Hardiman
Wealth Advisor and Partner
Merit Financial Advisors
Wilton, Conn.
3. I resolve to create a killer client onboarding experience
Koval Nadiya/iStock/Getty Images
I will do so by sending every client a jar of honey from my beekeeping hobby. The intention is to help form a sweet and sticky (ha-ha) bond between us. I want my clients to see the human side of me, because, in the end, people do business with people.
Scott Alan Turner
Founder
Rock Star Financial Planning
Hudson Oaks, Texas
4. I resolve to focus more time on preparing our firm’s next generation of advisors.
g-stockstudio/iStock/Getty Images
I often reflect back on my 25+ years in the financial industry and recognize the many professionals who coached, encouraged and pushed me to become a better, more well-rounded advisor. This inspires me to have a more meaningful impact on the next generation of advisors. By sharing lessons learned, as well as my successes and failures, I am committing to help our next generation of advisors grow to their fullest potential and become the future leaders of our firm. In doing so we all grow and succeed.
Mariella Foley
Partner and Wealth Advisor
Round Table Wealth Management
Westfield, N.J.
5. I resolve to educate my clients and prospects with informational webinars.
AndreyPopov/iStock/Getty Images
Once a month, I will launch informational webinars geared to helping women better prepare for retirement. Partnering with top economists and collaborators, such as AARP and Tom Hegna (“Don’t Worry, Retire Happy”), I will create a helpful set of webinars to serve that demographic. The webinars will live on the advisory website and social media. The bid for action of each online seminar is to invite prospects to schedule a meeting to learn more about how to retire happy.
Pamela Sams
Financial Advisor
Jackson Sams Wealth Strategies
Herndon, Va.
6. I resolve to “Pay It Forward.”
izusek/iStock/Getty Images
My personal passion is to support organizations working to improve the lives of women and girls. I carry that passion into my business and enjoy working with my female clientele to help them achieve their personal financial goals. Only about 30% of U.S. financial advisors are women, and only 23% of CFP’s are women. Ours is a field that is well suited for women who are interested in pursuing this career path and I resolve to be there to support and mentor the next generation of female advisors.
Tiffany Irving
Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor
Mesirow Wealth Management
Chicago, Ill.
7. I resolve to actively do my part to help close the financial literacy gap in our country.
designer491/iStock/Getty Images
It is not only tragic, but unconscionable, that we allow students to graduate high school without acquiring basic financial literacy skills. So, in addition to focusing my attention on my clients and their families, I will actively seek opportunities to speak with groups who aren’t (and likely won’t ever be) clients but still deserve to have someone work with them on these important skills.
Andrew Crowell
Vice Chairman of Wealth Management
D.A. Davidson & Co.
Los Angeles, Calif.
8. I resolve to treat our team as our most important client.
alphaspirit/iStock/Getty Images
That means prioritizing the nurture and development of our team. If we focus on working to nurture and develop the team, we can amplify our reach, get our weekends back and still serve our clients with the time, attention and care they deserve.
David Wilson
Managing Partner
Sincerus Advisory
New York, N.Y.
9. I resolve to meet with every one of my clients to learn how they experience our communications practices.
seb_ra/iStock/Getty Images
Being more proactive ultimately makes us better advisors because it helps ensure our clients feel they are receiving enough personal attention on issues that matter to them. Client communication issues can include technology adoption and feedback from webinars, newsletters, and insights. Most of our meetings will be on Zoom because our clients are nationwide.
Lauren Sigman
Principal and Managing Director
Robertson Stephens
Denver, Colo.
10. I resolve to hold at least half of my client meetings safely in person.
seb_ra/iStock/Getty Images
I miss connecting with people on a human level, face-to-face, as we discuss their hopes and dreams for their financial future, their challenges and what’s holding them back from getting to where they want to go. So much of what we do is much bigger than accounts or investments. It’s about how people want to live now, but especially in their future. How they want to spend time when they retire; how they want to provide a great life for their children; how they want to help an elderly parent who needs care later in life. These are conversations of the heart, and they are best done in person where you can convey as their financial professional that you have their best interests in mind and that you’re going to work alongside them to craft a plan to get them to where they want to be.
Tolen Teigen
Chief Investment Officer
FinDec
Stockton, Calif.
11. I resolve to focus totally on the client activity at hand.
Jirsak/iStock/Getty Images
That means turning off all digital notifications and distractions. It’s so easy to lose focus with the constant pings vying for my attention. My goal is to be more present to focus on my family when at home, and my clients and tasks when at work. Then I get to choose when to see what’s new within my networks. The less distractions that can take my focus away from the task at hand, the better!
Amanda Cassar
Director
Wealth Planning Partners
Robina, Queensland
Australia
12. I resolve to overcome my fear of public speaking.
Sean_Warren/iStock/Getty Images
I’m convinced my fear of public speaking continues to be a major roadblock in my career and personal lives. I will attempt to remedy this issue by joining a local speaker’s organization. With newfound practice in public speaking, I see myself breaking through into a whole new stratosphere of confidence and success. Not only will being a better public speaker advance my career, but it’ll improve the way I share information with my clients and prospects. I look forward to the day when I can efficiently share information in a group setting.
Scott Stanley
Founder
Pharos Wealth Management
Novato, Calif.
13. I resolve to spend personal time with each client, not to discuss business but to listen.
Juan Pablo Correa Bercetche/iStock/Getty Images
I will personally invite each client to coffee, breakfast or lunch. Each meeting is designed to be in-person wherever possible to allow for a more open connective conversation. The goal of each meeting is to deepen my knowledge of the client family dynamics, as well as to better understand the personal and professional goals of each client. By appreciating my clients at a more personal level, I will provide a more thoughtful approach to our financial planning work.
Jennifer Winstel
Private Client Advisor
Bank of America Private Bank
Charlotte, N.C.
14. I resolve to do the opposite of tithing—keep 10% of my money and give away 90%.
Peter Dazeley/The Image Bank/Getty Images
I've been the beneficiary of hard work, good fortune, and the trust and kindness of others. The world needs us. And the time to act is now. I firmly believe helping others and fostering love in the world is the greatest investment I can ever make.
Joseph Deitch
Chairman
Commonwealth Financial Network
Founder of The Elevate Prize Foundation
New York, N.Y.
15. I resolve to help increase general financial literacy among younger investors.
fizkes/iStock/Getty Images
I will do so by by providing quarterly video conferences to address the issues and concerns that particularly face young investors. While the topics will be pertinent to all investors, I will gear the conferences toward the specific needs and issues of younger investors. The goal is to help develop among this cohort a solid foundation of personal financial planning and investing skills to help them work toward a more secure financial future
Faron Daugs
Founder and CEO
Harrison Wallace Financial Group
Libertyville, Ill.
16. I resolve to develop our model week and stick to it.
Ana Garcia/iStock/Getty Images
The goal of the resolution is to ensure that my team and I come to work every day and have a defined purpose and path in 2022. As our company continues to grow, I must come to terms with the fact that I’m running out of time. This resolution is designed to help me keep a clear path every day to give our clients the time they deserve from me.
Adam Lampe
CEO and Co-Founder
Mint Wealth Management
Houston, Texas