Accredited Investors Wealth Management®’s Post

This past Saturday I had the distinct honor of delivering the Commencement Address to the graduates of UConn's School of Business. A summary of my speech is below. My original phrase that titled the article: "Change happens when one person makes a bold move and others are inspired to follow." #UConnSchoolofBusiness #Pursueyourpassions #Walkboldlyintoyourpurpose #prioritizeyourmentalwellbeing #Jettspeaks

I love this testimonial so much because of how this client-adivsor relationship started and being blessed to witness where it has progressed to. I met Dr. Macmillan through a presentation series I've been given to a local #Residency program on "You're Making Money Now What" with an additional focus on #StudentLoan planning strategies. If you know anything about residency/fellowship you know that they're overworked and earning the least amount of income they can expect to earn in their attending careers. The upfront planning we were able to implement while training might seem "immaterial" for some, however, for those we engage with its catered specifically to their unique needs. Our advice assists in jumpstarting their journey toward becoming what I like to refer to as "Extraordinary Wealth Building" (#EWB) Potential by creating automated saving strategies across short-, mid-, and long-term #goals. These disciplined habits then transfer over into their Attending life which allows them to seamlessly begin enjoying their new found life and income with their goals still intact. I've loved having this opportunity to work with Dr. Macmillan and look forward to continuing to serve her and her colleagues into the distant future! #FinancialPlanning #CFP #ClientTestimonial #CSLP

Life After School? I had a lecturer who constantly warned us about life after school—the challenges, financial struggles, societal expectations, and pressures we’d face. At the time, many of us dismissed his words, but looking back, it was the best advice we could have received. If you’re an undergraduate or have someone in higher education, remind them that: - Life after school is different. - There’s less financial support from family. - There’s more pressure and expectations. But here’s the real kicker... LIFE AFTER NYSC Service. 😂😂😂 I laugh because... - Life after service is tough. - Financial assistance stops. - Expectations increase since you’ve "finished." - Family and friends expect updates. - No more federal government allowance. This is when you’ll truly feel the weight of societal expectations. It can be frustrating, but if you follow this advice, you’ll thrive like I did. During your service year: - Engage yourself. - Learn, unlearn, and relearn. - Acquire skills (this is a MUST). - Be prepared for the wider world. - Be valuable and committed to making an impact. If you do this, you won’t find yourself struggling or starting from scratch like many others who waste time waiting for opportunities without skills. Share your thoughts in the comments! AGBOCHENI LUCKY

Lauded achievements, successes and credentials – sometimes a scroll through LinkedIn is all my inner critic needs to start a diatribe about how I don’t measure up. Which is why I am grateful for my self-compassion practice – which contrary to popular opinion is not about self-indulgence or self-pity. When the self-critic goes rogue, self-compassion is an invitation to root in a more realistic story of what it means to be human. Success and struggle are part of being human. Which means, of course, short social media posts celebrating achievements, simply can’t do justice to the full story – the hard work, as well as the mistakes and failures along the way. Or the myriad of ways in which any successful achievement ultimately rests – directly and indirectly – on the shoulders of countless others. Parents, teachers, inventors, other businesses, policy makers, colleagues… even the rice farmer on the other side of the globe whose labour gives my brain the glucose it needs to fire. As Martin Luther King said: “And before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world.” Which means, from this vantage point, I can read about the achievements and talents of others as a celebration of the human spirit – and what’s good about us humans. Then, this news is welcome relief to stories of discord and disaster. And, even if I might be staring down a setback or grappling with a mistake, I can remember I’m not alone. Everyone faces difficulties from time to time. Everyone has both limitations and opportunities. So instead of getting carried away by my self-critic’s unrealistic yardstick, I can ask myself: What opportunities or strengths do I have? And if, I offer them to the world, how might my labour – directly or indirectly – support someone on the other side of the planet? Thinking this way feels a lot better – a lot less rigid and constrictive – than thinking and feeling like I don’t measure up. It feels more like belonging. Of course, behind, a capacity to authentically re-appraise thinking in any moment of harsh self-criticism, there’s – no surprises here now – a lot of practice; some setbacks too. And, in my case, as a bursary (made possible by the financial generosity of others) to learn more about compassion. All of that – and more – has helped me to this moment of delight around a new pilot programme that I’ve been working on with Thinking Environment Faculty Member, Trisha Lord, called Thinking with the Heart in Mind. We’re looking for those who might be interested in the experiment of what might happen if we come together to think, with some compassion for our inner critics and our collective discord. What kinds of decisions might we make then? So, if you’re interested in developing a self-compassion skill set and experimenting with us in our pilot, please take a read here: https://lnkd.in/dEcXbGq5

To attain wealth. There's is one thing you have to do. I’ve been studying wealth since last summer. There's a reason behind it. I want a level of wealth that affords me freedom. The freedom to give back to my family and friends. And to impact anyone who wants the same. Since learning and studying this subject, the best thing you can do is asking yourself one simple, yet profound question. One question, that if you ask yourself now, will give you the answers to the life you want and how to get it. - - - What does wealth mean to you? Drop your answers in the comments 👇 Here To Impact, Carlos M. Alvarez

Growing up, I was the typical laid-back student, with a casual, undisciplined approach to life. No goals, no ambition. Just floating through the days. But this all changed at a pivotal Parent-Teacher Meeting during my senior year. I remember sitting there, amidst the murmurs of the PTM, oblivious to the impending jolt. My class teacher's words to my father hit me like a thunderbolt, "Your child is not going to amount to much in the life and going to fail his 12th Board exam." I glanced at my father, expecting anger & disappointment. But it was his silent, piercing gaze that shattered my nonchalance. His unspoken disappointment was a louder reprimand than any words could ever be. At that moment, something shifted within me. My initial defiance, ready to retort and defend my ego, was calmed by my father's quiet yet powerful presence. We left the room, his hand firmly holding mine, not in anger, but in a silent plea for me to understand. Family jibes followed, branding me as a future shopkeeper, only fuelled my newfound desire to prove myself. I passed my boards, not with flying colours, but enough to prove a point. I joined my father’s business but simultaneously, I worked on my intellect. Puzzles, books, and reasoning became my tools. This dual journey of spiritual and intellectual growth culminated at the end of my college years. I not only cleared prestigious government exams but also received calls from top B-schools, a feat my more academically inclined peers couldn't achieve. But now, it wasn't about scoring in exams anymore; it was about finding a purpose, something meaningful and worthy. My journey took me through the paths of spirituality, seeking wisdom from sadhus and gurus, delved into books, and through the silence of Vipasana. It was in these moments of introspection I found clarity - my life's purpose lay in serving others. With a newfound sense of direction, I joined the Ministry of Home Affairs, a step towards public service. However, the desire to contribute on a grander scale was overwhelming. I made the bold decision to resign and pursue the civil services examination. The preparation phase enriched my commitment to societal service. I naturally inclined towards philosophy & ethics as it resonated with my spiritual journey, forming a bridge between my past experiences and my future aspirations. Although the means of being a civil servant could not meet its desired end, the goal to serve mankind by immersing in the ethical and moral process of self-transformation remains the same. Today as I reflect on this journey, I realise that true success is not just about personal achievements. It's about discovering one’s purpose and aligning it with the service of others. Also, life's most profound lessons & transformations often emerge from moments of deep challenge. Embrace challenges, for they might just be the stepping stones to a life of purpose. Don't just aspire to make a living; aspire to make a difference!

We had three rules for Auden when he went off to college. Like most things I do, these rules came from someone I know and respect: my business partner, whose son happens to be a year ahead of mine at CU. “I made my son get a job,” he said. ”He has to earn it. He is on scholarship – my scholarship. To maintain his scholarship, he has to have a certain GPA, stay in shape and have a job.” Those became my three rules as well. The job doesn’t make a dent in the galactically irresponsible number that is out-of-state tuition at these universities. Instead, it instills work ethic, responsibility and ownership of your situation. We're in this together, and privileges such as a four-year scholarship to a university can’t just be a free ride. That's not how it works. I took this to Auden and we had a chat. Did he want to get a job? No. Did I hear that 90% of the guys in his fraternity do not have jobs? Yes. My answer to that was “Great. That means 10% of them do, and those are the 10% that I want you to be best friends with – and whose parents I will probably like the most.” Because being successful and being in the 1% in life means more than just managing expectations; it's about exceeding expectations. This past week, I was in Boulder visiting Auden. I woke up, got my workout in, and went over to Deli Zone on the Hill on campus. It was 9:00 am on a Monday morning, and there was my son behind the counter, working, earning. It absolutely was the best breakfast sandwich I ever had. My new favorite delicatessen in America is Deli Zone. Am I bragging? Humbly, I hope. What I really hope you take away from this is that I hope everyone feels the same way about their kids as I do about mine. We’re living in a challenging time, raising young men. We focus on what we can control and think about what positive masculinity looks like, and work to cultivate physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial strength. This is the time that we should be doubling down as husbands, fathers, parents, and providers. The way I see it, raising the next generation, particularly in challenging times, is about more than providing opportunities. It's about instilling a sense of duty, value and purpose that transcends the material. It’s about teaching them what positive masculinity looks like, acts like and feels like, embodied in family values, ethics and strong character. #midlifemale #midlife #parenting

𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬? It's been over 6 months since I've made significant improvements to my lifestyle, and I've noticed changes in various aspects of my life. The sedentary lifestyle of students, especially those studying for CA/CS/CMA or any other professional exams, means we often lack the typical college experience. Our social circles are limited, mostly comprising individuals in the same field. Sometimes, it's frustrating to see how others seem to be enjoying their lives (the grass always seems greener on the other side). I found myself stuck in a phase where I didn't even know what I was doing, starting the day by looking at memory charts and ending it by revising the same material. At that point, I decided to change my lifestyle pattern and told myself, "𝐃𝐮𝐝𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞." I made a complete 180-degree turn in my lifestyle. Here's what I changed: 1. I start my mornings with a 10-minute meditation session followed by a 30-minute workout session. 2. I began doing things I love, such as playing the piano and listening to music, and reduced my mobile phone usage. This freed up enough time for these activities without affecting my studies. 3. Being passionate about finance, I started learning about core finance topics and stated learning financial modelling which is available on youtube platform, and this became a hobby of mine in no time. For this a quick shoutout to The Valuation School Parth Verma for providing such insightful session free on yt. 4. One of the best decisions I made was to start reading books. I was never fond of reading before; I used to consume video content instead. But now, I believe there's no turning back once you start loving to read books. Believe me or not, these small changes will alter your mental state, and the way you look at life will change when you observe your surroundings. In my opinion, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐧. #life #lifestyle #ca #cs #valuation #hack #mediation #mentalhealth #cma #fianance #changeisconstant #cfbr

It’s funny how, despite ~18 years of studies, I never had a single session on building a meaningful career. It was always assumed that I would pursue something related to my specialization (at the time), and each school attempted to push me in that direction. Looking back, no one took the time to help me understand if that was the right path for me. Society has designed an educational system with a well-defined path and a clear set of rules. You attend classes for X hours a day. Studying for exams helps you get good grades. Arriving on time and attending classes ensures you can continue your studies. The list of such rules goes on and on. Reflecting on all this, it’s clear that most rules are designed for the benefit of the system, not necessarily for the students. Think about it. Going through school is a predictable experience, but life is rarely so straightforward. As a result, when the time comes to leave school, many young people feel confused. That’s not surprising. After all, the school environment has guided us for many years, and we’ve become accustomed to it over time. Then one day, it’s all whisked away. We are finally done with studying, only to realize there was something comforting about a clearly defined path. About a life that’s predictable because it follows a set of established rules. Now, all that is gone. We need to make all decisions on our own. Working hard does not always guarantee success. Arriving on time does not mean anything, you can still get fired. Preparing for important meetings helps, but thriving in your job requires so much more. No matter how much effort you invest in your work, you will likely experience many stressful events. To top it all, our parents are not super helpful either. They started their careers long ago when the world was very different. Yet, our careers will consume approximately 50,000 to 150,000 hours throughout our lives. That’s about 20% of our lives! And up to 60% of our meaningful adult time. Not to mention that the quality of our careers will directly impact our happiness, wealth, health, and identity. Yet, I meet people daily who are smart and competent but remain in industries where they have no long-term ambitions. It’s never too late to recognize you have been climbing the wrong hill. This chain of thoughts often leads me to an essay by Chris Dixon, aptly titled "Climbing the Wrong Hill:" "...meander some in your walk (especially early on), randomly drop yourself into new parts of the terrain, and when you find the highest hill, don’t waste any more time on the current hill no matter how much better the next step up might appear."

I've thought long and hard about posting this image here and if I did, what I would say. It seemed rather indulgent and the usual LinkedIn humblebrag of "I'm so delighted to receive my masters degree" didn’t do justice to the effort and achievement behind the photo. It is also hard posting anything after a long hiatus from the platform having decided to take a pause from a profession with a very defined career ladder and little forgiveness if you stray from too far from it. It felt awkward shouting about taking a career diversion, when I got many puzzled looks when I announced I was going to do a business masters in the first place. However, completing a masters degree with no face-to-face teaching (and more reading and maths than I ever thought was possible) during a pandemic, lockdowns, becoming a mother and moving continents is something to be celebrated. As is normalising taking the more scenic career route. There is much to be said about taking a pause from a career that asks and takes so much of you. The law is rewarding, challenging, stimulating and allows you to work with brilliant people, but it’s no secret it isn’t always compatible with good health (mental or otherwise) or motherhood. So posting this photo is not so much about external validation, but extolling the merits of doing something different for a while. BBC Radio 4’s Anita Anand received her honorary doctorate at my graduation ceremony and emphasised the importance of not getting too attached to a defined life or career plan. Like most lawyers, I am finding this a challenge but I’m discovering new interests and possibilities as I go. Not filling in time sheets is an added bonus. My profound thanks and gratitude to Adrian Ghaui, corporate finance and strategy guru, for his unwavering support in (almost) anything I set my mind to. #law #lawyer #timerecording #careers #careerbreak #motherhood #motherhoodpenalty #masters #universityoflondon #corporatefinance #strategy #management #mentalhealth