Over the last few months we’ve been looking at the things you can do to keep your personal finances in good shape while you’re busy running your business. It’s not an easy thing to do, they both take time (often more time than you have available) and it’s all too easy to let one slide at the expense of the other.

In this final instalment we’re looking at the value of having some extra support in your corner. The history of sports is littered with examples of great athlete-coach partnerships, Mike Tyson and Cus D’Amoto, the glory years of Alex Ferguson, even Usain Bolt  recently said he’d come out of retirement if his coach Glenn Mills believed they could do it all again.

We often think of a ‘coach’ as someone who belongs in a gym, shouting, making you sweat to a rock montage and dispensing good counsel. What we don’t always see is that a professional mentor is just as valuable in other areas of life – the sweating and shouting we can all do without, but the good counsel is definitely transferable.

You bring the vision, we bring the focus

“No one ever achieved financial fitness with a January resolution that’s abandoned by February” – Suze Orman

The thing about making adjustments to your financial planning over the course of your life is that it’s best done with the help of professionals. Nobody knows more about your life than you do, of course, but nobody knows more about keeping your plan on target than a seasoned financial planner. A good planner can assemble a meaningful whole from the pieces, but they’ll also make sure you stick to your plan even when it’s unnerving to do so.

In the same way that a sports coach can take an athlete’s performance from good to great, a dedicated financial planner can be a key player in your corner, making sure you play to your strengths, but also helping in the areas that need more work. Every client is different of course – sometimes clients bring the resources and vision in spadefuls, but need a helping hand to translate that into a plan and a strategy. For other clients, it’s more about helping them to understand their potential and to set goals that are challenging, but achievable.

Where your money is concerned, openness and honesty are just as important as sharing your vision. While a good planner will absolutely help you to push hard for the life you want, they’ll also demonstrate the professional responsibility of being absolutely honest with you about your money and your plans. They’ll be open, even candid when they have to, they’ll keep you on track through the more challenging times but they’ll also be there to help celebrate your successes with you.

Either way, a great financial planner, a great coach, could be the difference between the future you end up with and the future you’ve always wanted.

Where Citywide can help

At Citywide, we get that you need a company you can place your trust in, with professionals who take the time to understand what motivates you. We have the experience and integrity to handle complex financial planning needs and we’re dedicated to understanding your personal circumstances and what you want to get out of life. We think that’s the key to providing wealth management that works for you and your money.

If you’d like to find out more about Citywide Financial Partners, just book a free appointment with us. We’ll explore your goals and aspirations and we’ll discuss the right strategy to get you where you want to be. It’s something your future self will thank you for.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this part of our guide to keeping your personal and business finances in shape, you can download our full guide, ‘10 actions successful business owners take to grow their personal wealth’ today.

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