Better Goal Setting
How what they are thinking about now can help drive a better, even clearer future and how you can help
More often than not, I find we give our clients their goals. We ask questions like, when do you want to retire and how much do you want to save for your children’s education? Then, we write their financial plan. Perhaps this stems from the first few times we ask for their goals and they give us a blank stare.
We’ve had dream planners and, while I like those, it still takes some additional thought and more finesse to help clients uncover their goals and build them into their financial plans. When we put in the thought and energy, though, we have financial plans that clients are really committed to pursuing through the ups and downs.
So, let’s start with the Ameriprise Financial Dreams and Goals Worksheet, which asked for themes that resonate with the client, such as Adventure, Hobbies and Legacy, then six key questions.
Though we want to get people to think long term, we are more naturally in the present. If you start where they are thinking now and draw them out to the long term, it is easier for their focus to travel through time from their present situation to their desired future circumstances.
Using the six questions from the Dreams and Goals worksheet, you could start with a translation of those six questions:
Who would you like to spend more time with?
Translation during the Coronavirus crisis: Who do you miss spending time with right now?
What activities do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Translation during the Coronavirus crisis: What activities are you missing the most?
Where do you want to live in retirement, and how would you like to spend your time?
Translation during the Coronavirus crisis: If you had to live in isolation over a long period of time, where would that be or what would be different at the place you are now?
What would you like to have more of in your life?
Translation during the Coronavirus crisis: Does the present situation make you think of what you would like more of in your life?
What part of your life would you like to change?
Translation during the Coronavirus crisis: What are things you are thinking about that you would like to see change in the future?
What people and causes do you want to leave a legacy to?
Translation during the Coronavirus crisis: What people and causes are either lighting your fire or breaking your heart right now? What do you wish you could do about it?
I think we need to ask better questions. In general, as our relationships with people grow deeper, we want to ask more than surface-level questions. We want to know their stories and the things that drive them and make a difference.
We want this for you, too. Every one of us was put on this earth for a reason. Igniting that fire and equipping people financially for that journey is a pretty important job.
Thanks for all you do! Let’s do our part to keep them looking forward to their future.
If you’d like to use the document I referenced, you can find it here.
If you’d like to speak more about goal setting and life planning, contact Kris Hartland.
About the Author
Bernie DeLaRosa, CFP®, ChFC®, CRPC®, CLU®, APMA®, CASL®, BFA™
Managing Business Consultant
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