Hi everybody.
Many of you have read my newsletters over the years via email. Today I want to write about something most of us are pretty good at on occasion… and that is procrastination.
We all procrastinate about something at some point or another along the walk of life… not so?
Well, procrastination is a disease, I think. Some people just can’t get certain things done when they know they should be. Look, procrastination is acceptable when it comes to practicing the bagpipes, taking off your socks to allow your feet to breathe, or maybe even airing out your golf shoes after a weekend round.
But make no mistake, procrastination, when it comes to your own future as a financial advisor, isn’t doing anyone any favors. It can cost you dearly over time.
You’ve heard these sayings before:
"Procrastination is the bad habit of putting off until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday" or "Perfectionism is often just an excuse for procrastination" -- and my personal favorite — "Procrastination is the thief of time… the kidnapper of souls and the recruiting officer of hell."
Strong words, aren’t they? But true. Because every month, every quarter, every year that slips by while we "think about" making a change, improving our setup, moving firms, building a recurring model, or finally exploring global opportunities — that’s time we never get back.
So, today, I’m inspired to write about something as basic as taking action now — not next quarter, not "when things settle down," not after the next bonus run or compliance audit...Now!
Look, I get it....there’s always something else that needs fixing: the client report that’s running late, the CRM that needs tweaking, the rebrand you keep promising yourself, or the golf weekend that sounds too good to miss. You get the picture, right?
The result is that the things we know we need to do just get pushed back again and again.
Most advisors like the idea of improving their situation. They talk about it, they plan it, they even make vision boards about it. But, as I’ve seen countless times, it’s the action part that separates the wheat from the chaff.
I’ve met advisors who were fired up two years ago about expanding internationally or moving to a stronger platform — and they still haven’t started! Waiting for the “perfect moment” or the “right circumstances.” But friends, 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing.
And procrastinators? They always have the best, most believable excuses in the world!
The regulator changed something, the car broke down, the market dipped, the dog ate the compliance file… you name it. And before you know it, WHAM tiger — you’ve become part of a statistic.
Isn’t it funny how we can somehow "find" the time and money when we really want something — a new phone, a holiday, or the latest iPad — but when it comes to our own future, suddenly, "things are a bit tight right now"?
I see it ALL the time...
So, Mr. and Ms. Advisor — postpone your bagpipe rehearsal if you want, or the weekend away you can easily have again, or airing out the hockey equipment — but DON’T postpone the decisions that will define your own future.
Not only is taking action a good idea, it’s the only sensible and safe way to move forward in an industry that rewards the proactive and forgets the rest.
I hardly ever mention THIS angle, but perhaps also consider this for a second: I do think some folks-, companies and advisors alike, forget that THEIR procrastination also affects us...sometimes more directly than I would like it to.
Its very simple: No placement, no money...and probably like yours, my landlord or bank likes their pound of flesh for rent or mortgage at month end and don't care much for anyone else's cashflow issues. So, if I "chase" you after a week or two to perhaps to make a decision about an offer, OR if you're the one MAKING an offer to a candidate...it's NOT because I don't have better things to do with my time other than hassling you, you get that right?
Let's not fall into the "being too busy" trap. Its very easy to get busy with being "busy", and not getting to stuff that perhaps really matter also to others.
If you’d like to explore what 2026 could look like for you — offshore opportunities, global mobility, and structures that reward you long-term — lets have a chat.
PS. Have you missed an earlier newsletter or opportunity? Click the image below to see previous campaigns.
