To help you really achieve your goals means we need to understand you, and what your aspirations are. The most important part of our initial client process (click here for more details) is to understand your values. When we understand the Why, not the What, we can begin our work.

Here are some examples of what we can achieve when we understand your values;

• A couple came to see us recently and we began discussing their motivations. All of their answers pointed to one thing - they needed to feel that they were helping others. This was more important to them than anything else. We analysed their income and expenditure and worked out that they could reduce their working days to 4 days per week and spend the other day as a volunteer. They now volunteer with four charities, giving their time to those who need it the most.

• Another client's entire pension arrangements have been set up to provide capital and income for his two children. If we had not taken the time to understand that doing this would make him happy and feel good about his life, we would probably have never taken this approach given that it is not in his best interests but we did this to help him achieve his goal.

Some useful reading

Some clients are able to articulate their values and goals to us very easily, whilst others find it difficult. To help, we recommend two book for clients to read if they do not have a clear picture of what, if everything was possible, their world would look like.

• The Number – a completely different way to think about the rest of your life.
• Values-Based Financial Planning : The Art of Creating and Inspiring Financial Strategy

Smart provide these books to our clients if we feel it will be helpful.

Contact us if you would like us to send you a copy.