004: Hey, Life Transitions are Normal. Here’s How to Cope With Them.

In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten welcomes Certified Financial Transitionist® Gary Gardner into the studio. As part of the first graduating class of the Financial Transitionist Institute (a division of the Sudden Money Institute) Gary was drawn to the process that uses the “touchy, feely side of the brain,” as he likes to say – guiding clients through the transitions in life on a much higher emotional level.

 

Gary and Kirsten discuss the unique niche of the financial planning world that is financial transition. Gary highlights the importance of human relationship in this planning process and reveals that it is truly the why behind the what that drives people to cope and move through life transitions in various ways that he has observed over the years. Most importantly, Gary reveals that life transitions, whether the death of a loved one, retirement, a job change, etc., are NORMAL and it’s okay to ask for help to work through them on your own time and on your own terms.

 

Big Three From Episode # 004:

1. Transition, life changes, it’s NORMAL
2. Take a break, taking your time is OKAY
3. You’re not alone

 

Time-stamped Show Notes

2:16 – Gary talks about how his approach to financial planning is different from the norm and his evolution into a Certified Financial Transitionist®

3:45 – Implementation in a person’s life much more relevant with this type of coaching

8:09 – Gary shares research into the life transitions a widow goes through with the death of a spouse

10:24 – The spectrum of handling a huge life stressor

14:00 – Gary shares how his specialized approach helps move these transitions along for clients

17:27 – Gary discusses what happens during the first meeting with clients

20:14 – Gary’s number one question he asks his clients –What’s on your mind?

24:11 – Kirsten discusses the estate planning side of the process when working with recently widowed, grieving clients

25:26 – Gary recommends this mindset when approaching transition

27:50 – Gary breaks down the meaning behind DFZ – his resource tool

40:00 – How do you think about your own preparations for death?

Episode # 004 Freebie:

“The next time you find yourself wading through the quick sand I hope you’ll pull up the Decision Free Zone.” – Gary Gardner(CeFT)

No matter which life transition you’re in: whether it be the grieving over the death of a loved one, retirement, significant job change or if you’re just at a point in life where you just don’t know what to do, stop. Take a minute, breath, and pull up this tool. Dump your brain into the Now, Soon, and Later – no matter how silly or minute that thing in your brain might be – and get yourself to a point where you say okay, I can move forward from here.

 

Resources/Tools/Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Dick Wagner: Financial Planning 3.0: Evolving Our Relationships with Money

David Allen – Getting Things Done

Sudden Money Institute – Susan Bradley

Life&Wealth Advisors