WELL DONE me

I just found out that I am now a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM professional.

Delighted :)

CFP certification is the only globally recognised mark of professionalism for Financial Planners. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA - the regulator for Financial Services) requires advisers to have professional qualifications at least to QCF level four. CFP professionals have a level six equivalent qualification (similar level to University degree).

TOP 1% financial planners

How do you define the top 1% financial planners in the UK?

A definition I prefer is that the top 1% of financial planners focus on the value to the client by meeting three main aims:

1. They have a way to align a client's financial choices with the client's most important goals and deeply held values.

2. They help their clients to get their entire financial house in perfect order, measured against defined criteria, and keep it that way forever.

3. Their clients have a 10/10 level of confidence about their future no matter what happens in the economy, the markets or the world.

In other words, it's a lot more significant than the amount of money on which they advise.

WHAT ARE your values?

Many people talk about 'values' these days. Our experience is that most people don't know exactly what their values are. We ask questions that help people to articulate exactly what they most value in their life...what matters most. When you know what's really important to you, you can make better decisions about your money and how you spend your time.

What's important about life, to you?

ANOTHER WAY of looking at things

Things cost too much? No. We just cannot afford them.
Our income is determined by the economy? No. It is determined by our philosophy. We need to work on our philosphy to change our income.
For things to change, we have to change. For things to get better, we have to get better.
What happens, happens to us all. Our response to it is what matters.
Don't wish it were easier. Wish you were better.
Don't wish for less problems. Wish for more skills.
Don't wish for less challenge. Wish for more wisdom.
Our destination is not only determined by the wind. It is determined by the set of the sail. The same wind blows on us all. The difference in where we arrive is the set of the sail, not the blowing of the wind.

(With thanks to Jim Rohn)

FAILING WITH an excuse - even a good one - is never as good as succeeding

Isn't it fascinating that sometimes it seems that those who are in need the most are often also inclined the least. Being left behind, even with a very good excuse, is seldom as good as seeing problems as projects and moving forward.