on November 7, 2023
Although the holidays can, at times, be sheer chaos, they are also (hopefully) a time of reflection and gratitude. We’ve all probably endured a few struggles over the past year, but I guarantee we can all find something—no matter how small—to be grateful for. If you’re healthy, you have the basic necessities, you’re loved and appreciated by someone, or you have experienced moments of joy this past year, those are all reasons to give thanks.
In my own life, one of the things for which I am extremely grateful is Purpose.
I have talked about Purpose (with a capital “P”) in past blog posts, since it is one of the main pillars of Self-Wealth, a concept I coined in my book. Purpose is your reason, your “why.” It’s the thing that gets you motivated and makes you want to get out of bed in the morning. Without Purpose, we tend to flounder, unsure of our life’s direction.
For me, an obvious Purpose in my life is my family. They mean the world to me, and drive me to be a better person. But an equally strong Purpose in my life is my career and my everyday work. Being a financial advisor is deeply meaningful to me. I feel strongly that the vast majority of us have the ability to build financial wealth (in addition to Self-Wealth) and achieve financial security. However, most people simply don’t know how to get there. They don’t have the tools or the knowledge to figure out their financial path.
That’s where experienced financial advisors come into play. We are voices of calm and reason during tumultuous times. We are a compass when people are uncertain of their direction. We provide the advice and guidance so many people need in order to protect and grow their hard-earned money. At the end of the day, being a financial advisor is about helping people, and that is why this career holds so much meaning for me.
If you are currently unsure of your Purpose, or if you know your Purpose but, for whatever reason, you’re not following it, I challenge you to make some changes. Take some time to reflect on where you are in life and where you’d like to go. Do you need to course correct to get there? Do you need to change careers, or start doing something differently, or stop doing something that is holding you back?
Change can be intimidating—especially if you’re thinking about a big change—but it might, ultimately, be worth it if it means you will be living in your Purpose. However, before jumping into a major change (such as a career shift) with both feet, it’s a good idea to talk with a financial advisor about the implications of your decision. If the change will affect your financial future, it’s essential to understand this risk right away. Most people I know would gladly take a slight pay cut to become happier and more purposeful in their day-to-day life, BUT every situation is different. In short, think seriously about making the leap, but don’t actually do it until you’re prepared.
From my perspective, life is short and it makes sense to live a purpose-driven life. That purpose could be found in your career, but it might also be found elsewhere (a meaningful hobby, your family, a group of friends, a volunteer position). Take the time to figure out what’s meaningful to YOU, and figure out how to incorporate Purpose into your life.