• I sign up to attend an industry conference that allows me to learn about
the latest information affecting my
business.
• I find a mentor who is a superstar
in my industry and learn from her
knowledge.
• I choose to earn a new educational
designation.
on efficiency.)
• I focus my attention on one task at a
time; there will be no multitasking.
• I set aside the appropriate amount of
to make daily. Imagine the outcome of
being richer, smarter, more consistent,
more productive and healthier! (Use the
ideas in the box on Page 56 to help you get
HIGH-VALUE ACTIONS ARE OFTEN
MORE PAINFUL AND REQUIRE MORE
FOCUS TO PERFORM.
3. I organize my processes and systems.
• I set aside one day per quarter to
deep clean my office.
• I recognize that clutter on my desk
slows me down, and I choose to remove it from my daily life.
• I vow to touch each piece of paper
that crosses my desk only once. I
will tend to it, schedule a time to
tend to it or throw it away.
time to start and finish each task.
5. I eat right, get in shape and get
enough rest.
• I eat five small meals per day and
drink plenty of water.
• I walk 30 minutes every day.
• I choose to go to bed on time to get a
full night’s sleep.
started.)
Make it a daily decision to be a “future
thinker” and use your imagination to focus on the high-value actions that will allow your goals to become a reality.
4. I improve my personal efficiency.
• I read Getting Things Done by David
Allen. (This is an incredible book
None of these action steps is hard. Almost all of them are choices that we have
Allyson Lewis, CFP, author of The Seven Minute Difference, is a financial advisor who has
trained thousands of advisors. Visit www.
TheSevenMinuteDifference.com for the free
report “ 10 Tips for Remarkable Advisors,” or
call 870-897-0845.
NICHE MARKETING
In Sickness and
in Wealth
Premarital financial counseling is an
untapped market—with prospects ready to
be turned into future clients.
Tina Orem
On a cold spring night in 2006, Todd
Graetz got down on one knee and
popped the question to his girlfriend,
Debbie. With love-bitten enthusiasm, the
30-somethings began the parade through
the traditional wedding-planning events:
selecting dresses and menus, making honeymoon arrangements—and undergoing
vague, church-led financial counseling.
After deciding to get married at the
local Episcopal church in Bozeman,
Mont., Todd and Debbie enrolled in the
church’s required premarital program. The financial portion included
three money-related lessons given by the deacon.
As might be expected, financial advice was not the church’s forte.
The materials consisted of a dozen and a
half magazine and newspaper articles, and
something similar to a workbook. Even
though the counseling was provided in a
one-on-one setting, it was “broad” and
done “without discussing our personal
incomes or assets,” according to Todd.
Separation of church and estate
Granted, church isn’t where most people
go for financial advice, but what’s strik-
