by Krista Wallace, Advisor, CFP®
It’s January again, folks, and by now the would-be fitness fanatics are already realizing and (perhaps) accepting their limitations and revising their goals for the year ahead. As a recovering resolution-maker, this time of year continues to evoke feelings of hope as I reflect on what has been and move into what can (will) be.
Your SoundView Team is full of reflection, too, and harnessing that energy by Reviving Routines, Resetting our Focus, and Reaching forward in the calendar.
REVIVING ROUTINES
“Quality is not an act, it is a habit.” - Aristotle
If you’ve been a client for at least a year, you are likely already familiar with our January “to-do” lists and are likely hearing a lot from your Support Advisors (Debbie, Sophea, and Danielle). They are hard at work processing Qualified Charitable Distributions and Required Minimum Distributions from IRA accounts. They’ve sent data-gathering forms to collect year-end information, and soon, they’ll be coordinating tax letters and forms. Although our processes have changed and expanded over the years, this time of year reinforces our value of collaboration and propels us all into a productive year.
RESETTING OUR FOCUS
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
(Semisonic, ‘Closing Time’, 1998)
This is also the time of year when we tally the scores on your newly minted successes and prepare to present them during the Annual Review meeting. As an advisor, this is possibly my favorite meeting with my clients – the opportunity to refocus and clarify goals, count financial and personal successes, and overview the impact of your big-picture plan. Hearing about your daily routines, seeing your family photos, and answering your many questions (without the aid of a crystal ball) energize and invigorate our work for the year.
REACHING FORWARD
“To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Taking a proactive approach to planning is a priority for every member of the SoundView team. Beginning well sets the stage for not only the current year’s work but also your confidence for the “what ifs” in life. We’ll focus our strategic efforts on estate planning this year and take a comprehensive look at what finishing well can really mean for you. We’ll identify life events that may have an impact on your distribution plans, explore charitable giving options, and collaborate with attorneys to revise your estate documents as needed.