5 Steps Financial Advisors Must Take for the Next 12 Months To Be Their Best Yet

What if the next 12 months could finally be the year where your efforts pay off, your business thrives, and your life feels balanced for once? If you’re like most financial advisors, you’ve felt the frustration of juggling endless tasks while still wondering if you’re making the impact you dream about. Maybe you’ve hit a plateau, struggling to grow your client base or increase your revenue. You might even find yourself asking, “Is this all there is?” Here’s the truth: that nagging feeling doesn’t have to define the 12 months. The dream? Building a practice that not only grows but thrives. One where your processes are seamless, your clients see you as a trusted partner, and your efforts lead to meaningful rewards—both personally and professionally. A business that gives you freedom, not burnout. How do you connect the dots? By focusing on five straightforward steps that will help you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. These steps are designed to tackle your pain points head-on and provide a clear path to achieving your biggest goals. Let’s get started—your future self will thank you!

1. Your Greatest Competitor Is You Think of yourself as Rocky Balboa—but instead of punching meat, you’re fighting your own self-doubt (and maybe a few Excel spreadsheets). Here’s the deal: stop comparing yourself to everyone else. Sure, that advisor down the street might have a slicker website or a fancy podcast, but who cares? Your real challenge is being better than you were yesterday. Let’s take a cue from Michael Phelps. He once said, “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the further you get.” He wasn’t trying to out-swim the competition—he was trying to out-swim himself. What’s your “Phelpsian” challenge for the next 12 months? Whether it’s improving your public speaking or simply staying consistent with follow-ups, track those wins and celebrate them. Small wins today add up to monumental victories tomorrow.

2. Comfort Zones Are Where Dreams Go to Nap Imagine your comfort zone as an old, worn-out recliner. Sure, it’s cozy, but you’re not winning marathons sitting there. Growth lives on the other side of discomfort. Want to land those big clients? You’ll need to tackle things like public speaking, networking with intimidating influencers, or—gulp—asking for referrals. Let’s get real. Remember when Andy Elliott said, “Look in the mirror. Are you satisfied with what you see?” If the answer is no, it’s time to embrace discomfort. Maybe it’s trying that new marketing strategy or attending a conference where you don’t know a soul. Growth might feel awkward, but it’s where all the good stuff happens.

3. Small, Consistent Actions Lead to Big Wins Rome wasn’t built in a day, but those Roman architects sure nailed their daily to-do lists. You’re always telling your clients about the power of compound interest, right? Now it’s time to apply that principle to your own habits. The key to epic results isn’t one massive leap—it’s a bunch of tiny steps. James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” taught us that just a 1% daily improvement can make you 37.78 times better by year-end. So, what’s your 1% today? Maybe it’s rewriting that one stale email template or tweaking a client proposal. These small wins, repeated over time, will snowball into something huge. Trust the process and document your progress. Bonus tip: reward yourself with pizza—because nothing says “win” like pizza night.

4. Laser Focus Beats Doing All the Things Multitasking is like juggling chainsaws while riding a unicycle—a great way to crash and burn. Let’s be real: you can’t do everything. And honestly, you shouldn’t try. Instead of spreading yourself thin, pick one or two high-impact goals and go all in. Want to grow your AUM? Focus on building relationships, not chasing every shiny new marketing trend. Take a page from Tiger Woods, who said, “No matter how good you get, you can always get better. And that’s the exciting part.” Focus on one thing at a time, and keep improving. Whether it’s optimizing client onboarding or refining your marketing strategy, give it your all. Remember, laser focus transforms.

5. Obsess Over Creating Value If your clients don’t see your value, you’re basically an overpriced Google search. To stand out, you need to become indispensable. This means understanding your clients’ deepest pain points and solving them before they even realize they exist. It’s not just about better portfolios—it’s about peace of mind, family security, and achieving their biggest dreams. But here’s the kicker: don’t just create value for your clients—create value for yourself. Know your worth, optimize your business, and build a practice that thrives even when you’re not glued to your desk. Think about it: what’s the current value of your business? If you’re unsure, start tracking it now. The value you create for yourself today could mean the difference between a decent exit and an extraordinary one down the road.

Conclusion:

The next 12 months are yours to transform. Imagine shifting from feeling stuck—juggling endless tasks and hitting plateaus—to confidently growing a thriving, scalable practice that aligns with your dreams. If you’re a driven financial advisor ready to make dynamic changes and achieve meaningful growth, now is the time to act.

Take the first step today. Click this link to set up your free call and discover how to move from frustration to fulfillment. Together, we’ll create a roadmap to help you reach your biggest aspirations. Let’s make this your breakout year!