What Does That First Meeting Look Like?

Hi there.

“If we were to work together, what does that first meeting look like?”

The first real meeting is one of my favorite parts of this work. I often call it the “Discovery Meeting.” It’s the moment when we take our first real steps in the work, and uncover insights, expectations, strengths and weaknesses in your current plan. It’s exciting. For some people it’s a little intimidating. 

Before any of this there’s a free 30-minute intro where nothing is sold and nobody signs anything. We establish we’re a good fit and want to work together. This is the meeting after that. Between then and now, you’ve signed paperwork, filled out a personal profile, and uploaded your documents.  

Before we meet, I go through your numbers – everything that’s been uploaded thus far. That process helps me understand where you are so I can create a list of clarifying questions that we’ll address together. “What is that monthly expense?” “How long have you owned that property?” “Where do all the kids live?” I jot them down so we can answer them together during our first meeting. 

After overcoming technology hurdles (figuring out webcameras and virtual chats can be a bigger challenge than you think), we get to have an honest conversation about where you’re at today. I share my screen so that you can watch alongside me as I review what you’ve uploaded and address the clarifying questions. 

What comes next is my favorite. We’ve had the chance to review the majority of the numbers, what planners call the “quantitative data” – the nuts and bolts of a financial situation. Now we get to dive into the “qualitative data” – the living, breathing, feeling-pieces of your financial life. That comes in the form of a conversation: “What are the things that you’re most proud of?” “What are the things that you wish you had done differently?” “How do you feel about what you’ve accomplished so far?” 

These are questions most people have never been asked. And most people don’t know how to answer. The answers usually come from a place of humble truth, where the “right answers” haven’t been thought of ahead of time. The responses are on-the-spot feelings about what has gone well and what hasn’t. 

These insights help guide the planning process, and set the foundation for the work we will do together. We get to focus on what matters, and discuss how your plan will best represent what is important to you – your unique values. 

Depending on the scope of our engagement, this can be a once-and-done sort of thing, or an ongoing process that continues to influence the plan that we create. My favorite aspect, however, is that we become close as you share personal triumphs and defeats in your financial life. 

Someone going quiet before they answer. 

Laughter at their own response. 

A spouse looking at their partner with wonder before saying, “I didn’t know that about you.” 

The trust that goes along with that helps drive me to improve as a planner, and work to make sure that I’m providing value commensurate with that trust. 

The meeting ends with a thank you. I’m grateful to each client that embarks on this journey with me. For their trust and willingness to put in work to better their financial life and position. Thank you for the faith you’ve put in me. I will never stop working to earn it. 

So, what are you most proud of financially? 

Until next time, God Bless.

Ian