Your client's financial goals seem out of reach. How can you align their expectations with reality?

You absolutely need to approach that kind of conversation with a consultative mindset. Keep in mind that the client may have something unique that could make the goals possible so the consultative approach allows you both to explore it. Take the clients back to basics and model the best case / worst case scenarios together with their input and your experience and the truth will simply out itself. The optimal resolution is one where the client is guided to realise the true goal so they can decide whether to adjust to the more realistic goals or not - and perhaps add a stretch target as a challenge for the original goal.

When I think of financial goals, I think of corporation goals, not individual goals. With this in mind, my view is that many times, senior management is out of touch with the reality of the operating theatre. My approach is you must earn the right to be their consultant, and provide a possible course of action. This requires a relationship with the key management operator. This is all about trust, of you and your expertise built over many years in the battle. A dinner together has historically been helpful in understanding the direction they want to take for the company, and will look to you to share how to get there. It if from this exchange of ideas you can build a mutual trust that will result in a long term working relationship.

To align a client's financial goals with reality, conduct a thorough assessment of their current financial situation and clarify their goals. Educate them on key financial concepts and provide realistic projections. Develop a detailed, actionable plan, prioritizing goals and breaking them into achievable milestones. Maintain regular check-ins to monitor progress and make adjustments as needed, fostering open communication and addressing any unrealistic expectations.

One thing I've always found helpful is reminding my clients that this is only the first of many conversations we will have and while that goal may be out of reach currently, we can start somewhere today and grow to that point. Social Media has further distorted the idea and viewpoints on wealth accumulation and money to it's up to us in the field to be both helpful and truthful with our clients.

In my experience, the client view of their situation is usually worse than it actually is. The topic of money can be a huge stressor for most, so as a planner, it is incumbent upon me to not only identify the tools and resources that will be helpful in realizing the client's goals and managing their expectations, but to also realize when the tools and resources being provided are not of benefit to the client's perceived reality. In some cases, this can be remedied with continual exposure to the issue at hand and positive reinforcements they are on the right track. In other cases, therapeutic interventions are necessary.

One thing I found helpful was when I started is that your WHY should be bigger then anything else you can figure it out HOW later in process. And now there is nothing is something calls so good to be true. So give it a try one of my favourite quote it goes like I will win or I will learn from it but I am not going to loose..

Think and grow rich is a great book to read or listen to. Also Dave Ramsey has book Total Money Makeover. Try reading these books. They helped us succeed in business and pay off our debt.

I would suggest 2 of my must read book if you want to be successful in any business or any opportunity comes to your way. 1. Think and grow rich 2. Rich Dad Poor Dad You will see it will help you to define your thinking about financial literacy.

I would suggest is don't think too much about why I haven't make x amount of money this month everyday won't be the same when you start something new but yes be the people person show them that you care for them and you won't need to see your financial report again.

There will be challenges but never give up keep your head down and grind that's where you will build your empire and you will be successful at what you do.