How to Avoid the "Someday" Landmine
A Tribute To Toni...
I have an insatiable love for learning. But the most profound lessons haven't come from textbooks or lectures – they've come from my community. As a financial planner for the past 23 years, I've been blessed with the privilege of guiding women toward financial independence, and in the process, I witnessed their powerful transformations as they stepped into the big, bold lives of their dreams.
Toni was that client. Her journey spoke volumes about the power of living with intention. But more than that, it was a poignant reminder of the dangers of the 'someday' landmine. The lessons I learned from Toni didn't just influence my professional approach as a Wealth Coach – they transformed my life.
As I share Toni's story with you, I hope that you'll be inspired. Maybe, like me, you'll find yourself reflecting on your dreams and the deadlines you've set (or haven't set) for them. And perhaps Toni's story will be the catalyst you need to avoid your own 'someday' landmine.
Toni, a single woman in her early 60s, reached out to me during the Covid-19 pandemic. She thought about retirement, but the pandemic pushed her to take action. She realized life is short, unpredictable, and too precious to be left to chance.
Empowered By Life Planning
Toni was financially secure. She had no debt and was a diligent saver. Yet, she was unsure about what retirement would look like for her, or what her desired lifestyle would cost. She knew what she’d retire from but didn't know what she'd retire to. She had no idea how she'd fill her time until we started working together.
Our wealth coaching conversations helped Toni envision her retirement lifestyle. I encouraged her to imagine a big, bold life and slowly, she began to get excited about the prospect of retirement. With her strong financial foundation, she was in the enviable position to retire whenever she wished. She picked a date, 12 months from our conversation, and stuck to it.
Excited About Her Future
For wealth coaching “homework”, I gave her some action items to do so she’d be fully prepared for this new adventure. Over the next year, Toni ticked them off one by one. She was excited and thankful for the clarity and confidence she'd gained during our wealth coaching sessions. She reached out to me before her retirement, expressing gratitude for the guidance that had given her a clearer, more exciting view of her retirement lifestyle. “If we didn't work together, I’d probably still wonder if I could afford to retire, and how I’d fill my time,” she said.
Living Life Fully
Toni's brother contacted me recently and let me know she passed away after a brief illness. Heartbroken, I asked about her retirement. He confirmed that Toni did retire as planned and had a couple of wonderful years of freedom and adventure before getting sick. "She was so glad she met you, and that you helped her sort out her big adventure," he told me.
To Live, To Love, To Learn, To Leave A Legacy
Stephen Covey - The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People
Toni's story is a testament to the importance of True Wealth Coaching and living life by design, not default. She showed us that while preparing for tomorrow is essential, we shouldn't forget to live today. Her journey serves as an inspiration and a reminder of the balance we should strive for in our lives.
This tribute is for Toni, her zest for life, her courage to embrace change, and her trust in planning for a future that she enthusiastically stepped into. Her story is a poignant reminder that life is unpredictable, but with planning, guidance, and action, we’ll set deadlines for our dreams.
In memory of Toni, let's celebrate her wisdom and spirit, and let her story inspire us to plan wisely, live fully, and embrace the opportunity to create the big, bold, life of our dreams.
Give Your Dreams A Deadline Today…
Imagine having a meaningful, heart-to-heart 'True Wealth Talk' with me - completely free, no obligation. This is the same 30-minute conversation that sparked Toni's life-changing transformation. It could be the turning point in your life too. Together we'll create your personal path – a roadmap to guide you toward your dreams. You'll walk away knowing exactly what you need to do next. No more confusion. Just clear, simple steps to get you from where you are to where you want to be in plain English. You'll leave our session with a crystal-clear understanding of your next steps and a newfound confidence that your boldest, most audacious life goals are within your reach. Feel that excitement? That’s the thrill of stepping into your power and turning your dreams into reality. So, are you ready to embrace your extraordinary life? Let's start this inspiring journey together! Click here to schedule your talk today!
Bio:
Therese R. Nicklas is a Certified Money Coach (CMC)® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™.
For close to 20 years, Therese (Terri) has coached clients toward building long-term wealth so they can enjoy financial freedom.
Over the years, Therese witnessed the negative effect a lack of financial knowledge creates, especially for women who don’t have control over the family’s finances. Her journey brought her to develop an education and coaching system to help women by empowering them with smart money strategies.
Therese works with women who are ready to take action and passionate about living their lives by design and not by default. She is one of a few practitioners certified in Money Coaching and Financial Planning. Her distinct coaching system helps her clients understand the money patterns, beliefs, and behaviors that created their results. Her money coaching process inspires action by teaching new behaviors that get results quickly. By clearly defining and designing their ideal lifestyle, clients develop a positive relationship with money and learn to have fun with the planning process.
Helping clients plan for the future while enjoying the present is not a job for her, it is a calling. She sums her philosophy up by saying “live your life by design, not by default.”
Therese lives her life by design when she’s spending time with friends and family, traveling, cooking, and hiking with her rescue dog Gracie, and grand-dog, Jackie."
Therese has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, Financial Planning, and more. She is a sought-after speaker, serving as a subject matter expert for many alternative wellness and healing centers, divorce mediators, and community groups.
800 Hingham Street Suite 200 Rockland, MA 02370 - 781.413.1090 - [email protected]