25 ways for advisers to make their future better than their past

This is the perfect time to re-energize and make a commitment that this will be your best year yet. To aid you in your quest, here's a list of 25 insights that blogger Steve Sanduski has learned about how to win in business and life.
FEB 20, 2014
The New Year is the perfect time to re-energize and make a commitment that this will be your best year yet. To aid you in your quest, here's a list of 25 insights I've learned about how to win in business and life. If you absorb and live these, on Dec. 31, you'll look back and be thrilled with the progress you made in making a profound impact in people's lives. 1. Solve what keeps you up at night and spend more time doing what gets you up in the morning. 2. Focus on where you can make a difference so your reward is the activity itself. 3. Ask yourself this question, “If you had no fear, would you be running your business or your life exactly the way you are right now?” 4. Share fewer cold facts and more warm stories. 5. Comfort zone is an oxymoron; stay in one too long and it becomes unbearable. 6. Associate with people who can challenge you, encourage you, and help you see things and make connections that would otherwise have been lost to you. 7. Make a list of six business people and six interesting people you want to meet this year, then network your way to an introduction. Start by connecting with me on Linkedin. 8. Make sure your actions show that the most important people in your life really are. 9. The Golden Rule is still Golden. 10 Quit something that isn't working anymore so you have room to add something that will. 11. You can't inspire others if you aren't inspired yourself. 12. To create sustainable value, you must deliver what is scarce. 13. Be nicer to people and expect nothing in return; it'll make you and them feel better. 14. Don't use your bargaining advantage to your advantage because someday you won't have it. 15. Respect other people's time as much as you respect your own. 16. Add a zero to any metric you want to multiply; you'll then be forced to develop a plan to make it happen. 17. Say “I love you” to somebody every day — and mean it. 18. Smile more this year than you ever have before. 19. If you don't sweat, it's not exercise; spend more time sweating. 20. Develop morning and evening rituals that begin and end your days intentionally and consciously. 21. Don't wait for someone to ask for help, just help them when you see they need it. 22. Do something creative that you haven't done before, such as writing poetry or putting paint to canvas. 23. Care for your employees like you care for your family — because they are. 24. Become useful and indispensable by finding ways to solve more problems for more people. 25. The smallest action is worth infinitely more than the boldest intention. Following these ideas will make a profound impact in your life and the lives of those you touch. If you like these insights, be sure to share them with your followers. Use the comments section below and let me know which of these insights you want to focus on this year. For me, I'm focusing on 1, 3, 8, 17 and 18. Steve Sanduski, CFP, is the president of Belay Advisor. His firm designs, builds and delivers comprehensive business solutions for companies that want to make a profound impact in people's lives. Follow him on Twitter or connect on Linkedin.

Latest News

RIA M&A stays brisk in first quarter with record pace of dealmaking
RIA M&A stays brisk in first quarter with record pace of dealmaking

Driven by robust transaction activity amid market turbulence and increased focus on billion-dollar plus targets, Echelon Partners expects another all-time high in 2025.

New York Dems push for return of tax on stock sales
New York Dems push for return of tax on stock sales

The looming threat of federal funding cuts to state and local governments has lawmakers weighing a levy that was phased out in 1981.

Human Interest and Income Lab streamline workflows for retirement-focused advisors
Human Interest and Income Lab streamline workflows for retirement-focused advisors

The fintech firms' new tools and integrations address pain points in overseeing investment lineups, account monitoring, and more.

Buy or sell Canada? Wealth managers watch carefully as Canadians head to the polls
Buy or sell Canada? Wealth managers watch carefully as Canadians head to the polls

Canadian stocks are on a roll in 2025 as the country prepares to name a new Prime Minister.

Carson, Lido strengthen RIA networks with bicoastal deals
Carson, Lido strengthen RIA networks with bicoastal deals

Carson is expanding one of its relationships in Florida while Lido Advisors adds an $870 million practice in Silicon Valley.

SPONSORED Compliance in real time: Technology's expanding role in RIA oversight

RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.

SPONSORED Advisory firms confront crossroads amid historic wealth transfer

As inheritances are set to reshape client portfolios and next-gen heirs demand digital-first experiences, firms are retooling their wealth tech stacks and succession models in real time.