For women, success is not simply about setting goals; most women are driven by something more profound, inspiring a passion and energy where the financial rewards are merely the bonus for doing meaningful work. Yet as advisors, we were weaned on goals, constantly focused on tracking assets and production. We were taught to believe that without setting financial goals, we would not succeed as financial advisors. But for many women, those same goals have become a roadblock to success. I’m not saying goals are a bad thing; I’m simply saying that financial goals are not what inspire most women to succeed.
Ladies, it’s not the numbers that drive our success; it’s our soul.
Did you get into the business so you could buy fancy cars, live in a huge home or wear expensive jewelry? Or was it something else that inspired your career?
Goals drive activity, and while activity is good, especially when you are first starting, activity can become a deterrent to your business growth. Women are notorious for filling their lives with activity; we have to-do lists and full calendars keeping us busy and productive, but are we really effective?
We eventually lose sight of that inner purpose, that image, and the vision that once inspired us in all that busyness. As a result, we become tired, often scattered, unfocused, and less motivated when work feels like work. But, we women are warriors, and we know how to charge through the pain and discomfort. I mean, heck, we built a successful business in an industry not exactly welcoming to women, so we are capable of doing it again, but do we want to?
When women slow down and listen to their souls’ whispers, they can tap into their inner being and true purpose; this alone inspires new energy and becomes a magnet to all new business. They no longer chase what they once thought valuable but attract the work and clients that reinforce their passion and purpose as a financial advisor. This process defies the teachings from the industry where numbers are king and activity is the only fuel for growth. Yet once you re-experience that sense of purpose, a spark is lit inside you that craves to be nurtured and desperate to be set free.
You begin to spend more time massaging that woman inside you who has withered and become listless after years of hard work and responsibilities. As you carve out more quiet time for yourself, times when you can hear yourself breathe and feel the beating of your heart, you then begin to resurrect. You spend less time doing and find the quality of your work improves. You begin to appreciate your actual value as a female financial advisor and reject activities that do not fulfill your true purpose.
Being busy is no longer an acceptable practice and is replaced with desire, focus, and true priorities. This new model of success is reinforced each time you say “no” to business and practices that are not nurturing to your soul. And one day, you will look back and realize you have just exceeded your previous expectations of success both emotionally and monetarily. That spark, once ignited, has become a roaring flame giving warmth and energy to all that you do.
