For my first article of the year, I wanted to provide an update on one of my current projects that I started in 2022. Last year, I embarked on a journey to gain my financial coaching certification from the University of New Mexico to continue my passion for helping people with their financial goals.
It has been such an enriching experience. I got the chance to speak at different churches and schools as well as get to know the financial lives of some of my closest friends. Throughout that time, I'm proud to say that I have gained a little bit over half of the necessary 40 hours to gain my certification.
At the end of this year, with God's grace, we will have completed the certification. That would be something I would be exceedingly proud of.
For any of my friends reading this, I want to provide context to what it means to work with a financial coach, especially once I have the full certification. Here are some of the main areas where a financial coach could add value.
Focus on Helping
With the certification, a financial coach doesn't have to focus on selling any financial products. I never want to be in that position where I have to solicit life insurance or solicit investment products. The feeling that I got from doing so and some of the relationships that I lost may never be salvaged. I felt the pressure from supervisors and management and former companies to close deals and to position financial service products in front of people that may not have been in their best interest.
With the certification, I can focus on taking what I've learned and making sure that the people I work with are inspired instead of pressured to move forward. There's no greater reward than that.
Nothing to Sell
This is probably the coolest part. I have nothing to sell. Except for my name and reputation. And I love that. I can continue my education on the financial climate and learn from different authors and resources and provide guidance to the clients I'll be helping with. If they want to support me financially for anything that I've been able to help them out with, that's completely on them. But without any products, all I get to do is focus on helping them prosper.
Some of the conversations that I had last year and also in the beginning of this year have been the most enriching, fulfilling conversations I've ever had outside of my work. The magic aspect of getting someone's trust and having the light bulb click when they realize they're actually able to do something is worth more than any payment they could muster.
Experience
One of the requirements of the University of New Mexico to gain certification is at least 40 hours working with clients before they give you a designation. Initially, I thought that that was quite much to ask especially with my background and how long I've been working with clients.
Now, I see it as a huge benefit because I get to practice leading financially through inspiration. I've learned so much from how to coach without judgment that is even bled over into my personal life.
The art of leadership and communication is something that must be honed over time and I'm thankful for the gift of mastering the necessary skills for my certification hours.
I can't wait to see what's up ahead and I can't wait to help out more people. I hope this provides some insight as to what I will be doing and what I'll be able to assist with.
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