Are you ready to start paying more attention to your finances? If so, maybe it is time to start creating your financial team?
Why Do We Need a Financial Team?
Honestly – because we are not an island and I don’t think we are meant to do everything by ourselves. Let me explain further.
In your life, would you agree there are some things you really enjoy doing, are passionate about and are good at? And then there are other things you just don’t like doing, are not so passionate about and are possibly not so good at?
Well the good news is, some of the things we do not enjoy doing are other people’s strengths and gifts. This is one of the reasons why it is important to ask for help – we allow other people to share their gifts with us, which in turn allows us to receive as well.
N.B. Please know I am not talking about avoiding important tasks here as sometimes we still need to do the tasks we don’t want to do and are not our strengths – i.e. remembering to take out the garbage!
Myths About Asking for Help
There are many myths associated to asking for help. Some myths are explored below –
Myth: Asking for Help is a Sign of a Weakness.
Reality: Asking for help is not a sign of a weakness, but a sign of a strength. “The strong individual is the one who asks for help when he needs it.” ~ Rona Barrett
Myth: “I shouldn’t have any challenges or need ask for help.”
Reality: In this statement we are criticising ourselves. Self-criticism is not a helpful strategy to feel better despite it being socially acceptable. In fact, it can cause you to feel insecure and inadequate. Subsequently, we need to develop self-compassion. Self-compassion means I think my problems are also important and worthy of being attended to as well as your problems. Self-compassion is about being with our challenges and seeing them as they are not numbing them or pushing them away, which is more self-indulgent.
Myth: “I am burdening other people if I ask them for help. They are already busy.”
Reality: There are many people who love to help you, if given the opportunity. When you ask for help, you provide a space for people to shine as they share their gifts and talents with you. As Jim Rohn said – “Asking is the beginning of receiving. Make sure you don’t go to the ocean with a teaspoon. At least take a bucket so the kids won’t laugh at you.”
Myth: “I am not worthy of help or support.”
Reality: Everyone is worthy of help, love, belonging and support – as we have all made mistakes and need help in our lives, no one is perfect.
Myth: Asking for help means “I am incompetent.”
Reality: “Asking for help does not mean that we are weak or incompetent. It usually indicates an advanced level of honesty and intelligence.” ~ Anne Wilson Schaef
Can you relate to any of these myths? If so, which ones? Are there any others you would add?
Important Characteristics for Your Financial Team
Hopefully you can see now, why asking for help is useful. However, before you start assembling your team, you might like to identify the important characteristics that you would like for the people you choose to have on your financial team. Following are 3 questions that might help you do this –
- What are the attributes you will not tolerate (i.e. deal breakers) on financial team? For example – dishonesty or someone who doesn’t respect or listen to your needs or dreams and/or is negative.
- What are the attributes you need on your team? As you know, there is a difference between a want and a need – so make sure you focus on your needs. For example – one of my needs is I have to feel safe to ask questions, someone who is compassionate, has an open heart and is non-judgmental.
- What are the things you desire? These attributes may not be necessary, but would be icing on the cake.
Starting to Create Your Financial Team
Now you are clear about the attributes of people you would like to help you, let’s identify who you might need. The people who you might like to consider are –
- A coach,
- An accountant,
- A lawyer,
- A financial planner.
- A mortgage broker,
- An investment advisor, or
- A bookkeeper.
Do you already have any of these people you work with? If so, well done! If not, you won’t need all of these people on your team at first. However, as you start creating your financial freedom (what ever that means for you), you will more than likely come across scenarios where each of these people can be utilised.
When you find someone that fits your needs. Sit down and interview them to see if they are the right fit for you. Remember it is your team and only you will know if they are the right people for you or not!
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” ~ Phil Jackson
How Will You Create Your Financial Team?
I hope this post has given you some guidance and inspiration on how to start creating your financial team, so you can move towards your dreams! Remember, tiny tweaks everyday will take you there 🙂
If you are ready to reclaim your courage and take the next step towards freedom and opening your heart, why not join our Toolkit? And remember, you can download the worksheet Reconnecting with Your Finances here.
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