A few days ago I was reflecting on my years as a financial planner, what I had learned, and how I've used prior client conversations to guide future ones. Part of my job description is providing counsel as clients consider decisions like moving, finishing their basement, purchasing a car or maybe taking an expensive vacation. I enjoy talking about the financial costs, relational impacts, and emotions involved in these decisions.
What I realized a few days ago, however, was how much my clients have actually taught me about these decisions. Indeed, after fourteen years, chances are that I have encountered just about every major financial decision conversation there is. And while I certainly had some training in all of them beforehand, I also often learned more myself as I went through the process with the client. And that journey I took with the client was then used for future conversations with other clients, or even my own family.
And so I came to realize that perhaps I ought to say "thank you" to my clients, especially those of you who are reading this and have been my client for many years. Thank you for what you have taught me. Thank you for sharing the indecision beforehand, the realization of the plan, and the ramifications after the fact. You've made me a better financial planner, helped other clients considering some of those same decisions you have, and even helped me as I've considered possibilities for my own family.
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