A single word or a short phrase could permanently change your life.

When you were young, a teacher may have said something to you that forever altered how you viewed yourself—good or bad. Maybe a parent said something that still sticks with you today. Or perhaps a former boss made a comment that drives you nuts to this day—I’m in that boat!

In a similar way, this “My 3 Words” exercise I learned from Chris Brogan is designed to empower you with 3 words that drive your actions and keep you on track to make this your best year ever.

This is the sixth year now where I’ve begun the year by identifying 3 words that will set the course, give me direction, and totally excite me as I move through the year. I write these words at the top of my Daily Outcomes sheet and look at them daily throughout the year.

The premise is simple. Pick 3 words that motivate you, remind you, and guide you on your road to making 2020 your best year ever.

I encourage all my clients to do this and I encourage you to do this same exercise as it will help you stay focused on the most important outcomes for the year.

In a Nutshell: The largest financial advisory firms have developed consistent marketing programs that deliver a predictable stream of ideal clients...and there's just a handful of different ways to do it.

Guest: Brad Johnson. Brad is the Vice President of Advisor Development for Advisors Excel. He's also the host of a great podcast for financial advisors called The Elite Advisor Blueprint.

My Key Takeaway: To get your marketing machine humming:

- Understand that marketing is NOT optional. Referral marketing is not enough. Choose from a list of five broad marketing buckets (with an infinite number of tactical ways to execute), and implement aggressively and consistently.

- Marketing is math. Don't let your emotions distract you from the key numbers that will determine how and when a particular marketing initiative will pay off. 

- Make practicing a practice. Once you identify the most effective marketing strategy for your ideal client pool, practice and pursue mastery of it. 

Also Learn:

1. Why strong marketing that keeps your business growing double digits each year is one of the most effective ways of retaining top talent.

2. How one well-produced piece of content (like a book) can be repurposed, sliced and diced, and become an evergreen source of more content (like blog posts, short videos, and social media posts).

3. What sets apart a valuable proprietary process from a generic commodity that prospects can get from any advisor.

In a Nutshell: Shifting from being a financial advisor to being a financial coach could be the next evolution of how financial guidance is delivered and enable independent human advisors to remain profitable and relevant.

Guest: Todd Tresidder. Todd is a former hedge fund manager who transitioned into a successful financial coaching career. Recently, he has adapted his coaching into a series of premium online courses on wealth building at Financial Mentor. 

My Key Takeaway: In order to keep adding to your value proposition:

-  Spend more time empowering clients and less on enabling them.

- Help your clients find the path to the next step, help them always be taking that next step, and help them avoid the missteps that are in their path.

- Consider getting formal training in how to coach people, from organizations like Coaches Training Institute.

Also Learn:

1. How the act of gaining financial freedom doubles as a path to personal growth.

2. How a financial coach's services differ from a traditional financial advisor's. 

3. What separates most people from setting their wealth goals and actually achieving them.