“How many drinks do you have per week?”
Do you hide from that question? Why is that? Is it a trust issue? Do you feel like you’ll be judged or lectured to change your habits? Or do you feel like you can fudge that number as that information seems insignificant to your overall health? Maybe you know it’s an issue and you’re choosing to ignore it?
Has your doctor ever asked you to define your health goals? Would that help you establish a baseline of trust if she did? Or maybe your goals are discussed but you feel as though your social habit isn’t preventing you from reaching them, so holding that info back doesn’t seem like a lie?
What about your financial advisor – are you honest about your spending habits, or is it easier to hide from that too? I’m sure you see where I’m going here. Nearly 30% of clients say they hide their spending habits from advisors. No doubt about it – discussing finances is a vulnerable topic for most. But, if you sought professional help, wouldn’t you want to choose someone you trust? It is your future after all.
Plain and simple – a financial advisor should work with you to define your goals and create a roadmap to get there. If there are obstacles in the way (i.e. emotions, bad habits, debt, life events), those can be addressed so that your roadmap is tailored specifically for you. This conversation unquestionably can be stressful and oftentimes embarrassing – not only with your advisor but also between spouses. But if your goals are important to you, then tackling those obstacles a little bit at a time is hopefully a manageable task. If not, then it’s time to go back to the drawing board on those aspirations of yours.
You should be able to trust your advisor. Your financial security is depending on it. Schedule a call with me today.