30 year anniversary
Posted on 4th January 2023 at 11:54
“H D and W”
I wrote these letters on to my desktop perpetual calendar …. 30 years ago today.
They aren’t the initials of any family members, they’re not alluding to the name of my Firm, it was a simple abbreviated / coded message to myself, a message which has remained in front of me, every day, for three decades.
This memorandum was a psychological and unconscious reminder that every working day has to be productive and that I have to achieve something.
H D and W …….. Head Down and Work
And I have tried my best to strive to focus on what's required, to set my sights on my personal goals, and to grow a business which supports me, my family and the people who I work with and their families.
Thirty years of immense extremes, many highs, lows, ups and downs. Smooth travels and bumpy rides. Legal wrangles, staff issues, office moves, as well as meeting the most brilliant people in my profession who I have worked with, too. I have spoken with thousands of Clients and the feedback has been so lovely. National awards, industry accolades, professional affiliations … I have so many memories.
This has been a career which has now spanned, so far, a full 30 years, self employed the whole time, and intrinsically I have remained as positive, relentless, full of aspiration, and I have been as ambitious and driven as I could possibly be.
Through rollercoasters of changing political climates, economies, budgets, market changes, regulator changes, lender, insurer, products, criteria and policy changes, I haven’t stopped learning, adapting and looking forward to how to overcome and succeed. My role as someone's adviser is a privilege and I have built a reputation for not being a salesman, but instead having a long term Client-Adviser relationship, and I still have many Clients from more than 20 years ago, who I continue to work with regularly, and I take that as a massive compliment.
So, to anyone who thinks that self employment is to be avoided, I say that this, based on my own personal experience, is the only way to achieve job security, as long as you have an open mind, you're honest, have an ethical integrity, and a positive attitude. To anyone who says that running a financial services business is difficult, I say that you are absolutely right, however, the joy of getting up and starting each day knowing that challenges are actually opportunities, and for me, aiming for and accomplishing higher standards of goals has been exhilarating. To anyone who says that 30 years in one job is too much, I say that every day has been different, every person I work with is individual, every mortgage and insurance arrangement that I have helped people to secure has been hugely satisfying.
And to everyone who has been part of my 30 year financial services career, whether you have been one of my Clients, a provider partner, a compliance colleague, an industry associate (I don’t have competitors, just friends who work with different Firms), my staff or my team of Brokers (past and present), I truly do thank you for helping me to see the good, the not so good, and the light to pursue this wonderful adventure.
At 57 years old (tomorrow!), I hope that I have the health to continue for many more years to come too.
Tempus fugit, 30 years, wow, I wonder what the next decade or so will bring.
I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year, and long term career. Now ... H D and W.
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