The Trusted Financial Advisor - Measuring Success By Feelings or Results?

It's so easy to set goals in life. How many people actually take the time to set specific life goals? Not many of us, is my guess. You want to make more money. You want to enjoy more productive relationships with friends and acquaintances. You want to make a difference in the lives of others. You want more to be a successful Financial Advisor, if you aren't already. While these goals are admirable, they are also very broad. Most people fantasize about being rich, famous, and well liked. However, these are not necessarily goals.

Step 1: Know the Difference between Dreaming and Doing

When a Financial Advisor claims that making a lot of money is his or her "goal", they are not truly seeing the future. An Advisor that is motivated to achieve a goal does not think in terms of failure and winning. (As in, I failed at becoming a millionaire. So it’s not meant to be). Rather, this person follows a set path towards their or their final destination. To the successful Advisor, succeeding in life is a daily responsibility, one full of setbacks and solutions. The successful Advisor doesn't merely think in terms of "becoming rich" overnight. They study the path towards having a successful practice and financial freedom, as handed down by others, and create a feasible and specific plan to increase their profit through the years.

Step 2: Set 'Stretch' Goals

Achieving one's vision of success depends upon the setting and completion of 'stretch' goals. A stretch goal is a realistic goal with a little more added to it for it to be a stretch. I think stretch goals are a little more motivating and inspiring than goals that are 'realistic'. Stretch goals do not follow someone else's idea of success, but only your own. You know where you want to be as a successful Advisor, so begin by creating an action plan that helps you focus on the highest payoff activities that puts you in the best position to achieve your stretch goals. Set your goals on a long-term and short-term basis and work your way down to weekly goals. It is easier to take smaller steps than trying to focus on one big goal or many big goals.

As you reach milestones along the way, your self-confidence increases and the ultimate objective becomes clear. You are no longer confused about what action you should take. You don't start projects and stop them; rather you channel your enthusiasm and passion in one specific area, moving closer to the desired result. Along the way, you learn to prioritize your time, as setting specific goals helps you to avoid unproductive actions. When you apply your energy and resources to your goals, you are able to accomplish more in a few short years than most people will ever do in one whole lifetime. When you set your own goals you are given total power over your life. You don't want to surrender your time and energy to the will of others, as if to subject to someone else's control.

Step 3: Don't Procrastinate

The successful Advisor doesn't typically procrastinate or procrastinate often. Some have stated that dreaming or wishing is actually a form of procrastination, especially if no goals are being set to achieve a dream. Once you have created an action plan, you have no reason to delay taking certain action. You may find that once you start to put your plan into effect that your outlook on life may change. When you have specific goals in mind and keep a positive perspective, you start to achieve more things in life. You may use other's achievements as a guideline; however, you choose your own goals based on where you want to be and by when you want to be there. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do something or hold you back from achieving your goals and desires.

What is the difference between dreamers and doers? Dreamers usually spend a great deal of their life whining and wishing things were different. Doers go after what they want, in essence, adapting to a system to prolong their life and prosperity. Doers create their future. Jim Cathcart says, "Dreamers stay stagnant and blame others for their lack of progress". Are you a dreamer or a doer?

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Anne M. Bachrach is the author of the book, Excuses Don't Count; Results Rule!. She has 23 years of experience training and coaching. Anne helps financial professionals keep and get more clients while maintaining balance in their life. Through her proven systems, she inspires Advisors to stay focused and take action on the highest payoff activities that lead to their ultimate professional and personal success. Take advantage of the many complimentary resources on her website (www.AccountabilityCoach.com) and subscribe to her blog (!Anne's Blog!).