I think we can all agree that 2020 was not the most placid year, in terms of the markets or our lives or the lives of our clients – if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that you never know what to expect.
For all that turmoil, clients experienced even more volatility, both in the markets and in their lives, some stayed employed and worked at home, some retirees got a bad case of cabin fever, and thus were more focused on their retirement funding and portfolio returns as the market gyrated at every turn. Some experienced loss of income from work that couldn’t be performed during the shutdown, and fretted that this would become permanent, some opting for early retirement and had to revise years of expected planning for their futures.
In most cases, the role of financial advisor in client’s lives took on more prominence, and many advisors stretched their role and expertise beyond just the financial to include personal advice, job hunting advice, coach and chief encourager, therapist and confidant. In many cases, the advisor was the dependable constant in their lives that were otherwise turned upside down.
Being seen in that light by our clients is the best gift we could receive for this upcoming holiday season. Knowing that our clients trust us, and invite us to enter into their interior lives beyond just minding their money, is the highest compliment we could receive. While that increased client contact might have taken up some additional time during the past few months, it’s an investment in that relationship that will most likely pay some pretty healthy dividends for the foreseeable future.
Now, looking forward, it’s up to us to live up to that gift of trust, to grow into that more fulfilling role, to continue to provide the level of interest, engagement, and attention that our clients surely deserve.
This Holiday season, be sure to take some time for yourself, to reflect on the rich, fulfilling life your clients have provided you, and to be humbly grateful for them and their families.
