Modes of connection may change over time, but we suspect that the desire to live our lives as social creatures will persist. What can our technology and our history teach us about what it means to be human, to work together?
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I recently drove to a business conference in Florida, more than 1,500 miles from home. It would have been much faster and cheaper to fly. But saving time and money were not on my list of objectives.
In fact, it took six days to get there. There were visits with clients along the way—sharing meals at their favorite restaurants, talking and laughing and commiserating about life and world events and markets and more.
As we learned more about each other’s plans for the future, a wide range of topics emerged. We talked about Social Security choices, long-term investing in perilous times, how to pay for increasing expenses in retirement, the snowbirding life, downsizing homes.
These weren’t theoretical discussions, either. These are real people living their real lives, making real decisions. It was affirming for me to be greeted so warmly, and to experience “IRL” just how our work has helped people with their plans and planning.
The trip was a roaring success by the measures I care about: happiness, gratitude given and received. (And I wrote this reflection even before the conference started!)
Two lessons so far:
We’ve all done a lot of phone calls and email exchanges and Zoom conferences over the past couple of years, but human contact does a very different job for our souls.
Then next, I had a few days at the conference, and then the journey home—the long way, of course, with many more stops. With the team we have to keep things running smoothly at 228 Main, I’m thinking more travel is in my future. I may be seeing many more of you in the months and years ahead.
In the meantime, when we can help in any way, please email us or call.
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Play the audio version of this post below:
We were running a bit ragged there for a few years. You’ve heard parts of the story before, but when my late wife’s health meant more travel and new challenges, I had to try something different. What had worked before was no longer sufficient.
Once we caught our breath, we found exciting advantages in those new things we tried. We feared digital communication might seem a poor replacement for in-person connections, but they were never in competition. We improved the speed and clarity of our thoughts as they traveled to you, and then our personal conversations became that much deeper. The various channels of communication made wonderful complements for each other.
We might not have made that discovery—or made it in such record time—if not for terrible adversity. The universe gave us a shove, and we tried to ride the momentum forward.
We survived and, as it turns out, thrived.
In a recent company communication, LPL’s Angela Xavier shared that what makes “thrivalists” (we love LPL’s term!) different from the rest.
“We all know that with crisis comes opportunity,” she said, “and those that are going to thrive will definitely take advantage of those opportunities.”
Xavier mentions a few key moves that help thrivalists: practicing flexibility, reimagining the work, and embracing the new things you have access to. Each new environment brings new challenges and new paths.
Become a thrivalist in whatever way makes sense to you. We’ve described it in the past as discovering you’re actually “in the right place at the right time” or with the old chestnut “necessity is the mother of invention.”
And when you struggle? Xavier encourages us to “steal with pride”: what are your mentors, neighbors, and friends doing? How might you adapt, not just to survive—but to thrive?
Clients, we’re excited to help you with any of your plans and planning. Call or write when you’re ready.
One of the best and biggest gatherings of financial professionals is coming up. LPL Financial’s annual Focus Conference presents a number of opportunities to gain education, perspective, and more.
Because we 16,000 registered representatives are free to build our businesses in accordance with our own principles and interests, a wide range of presentations are held. These are conducted by an incredible array of company and industry talent, as well as peers.
Our investment philosophy and portfolio management operations are mature. We’ll be looking for ways to enhance our productivity and speed of execution, as well as potential new research and information sources.
We have a deep interest in communications theory and practice as applied to the 21st century venues we use to keep in touch with you. Fortunately, some of the most talented people in the industry (maybe the world) will be available. They understand what we’re doing at 228Main.com, they have helped us all the way along, and we expect to make more progress on our plans for the future.
The cast of characters includes communications professionals in LPL departments, as well as specialized consultants like Scott McKain and Amy Florian. McKain is the author of ‘Create Distinction,’ a business best-seller that has inspired us over the years. Florian is an expert in helping advisors communicate more effectively with those who have experienced loss or difficult transitions. I’m looking forward to working with them again.
Over my long association with LPL, I’ve been fortunate to build close relationships with the leadership team. Most of this happened in the last four years, as many people in managing director and executive roles became readers and followers of our blog and social media. As we sort out the best structure for our business going forward, these connections are a great help.
I have breakfast and lunch meetings scheduled each day of the conference with key players on my LPL team. With all this, plus gatherings with friends and colleagues from around the country, it looks to be another exceptional experience.
Clients, if you would like to talk about this or anything else, please email us or call.
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