Ego… People don’t plan because their egos get in the way. The dictionary definition of ego is a person’s sense of self-esteem or importance. It’s the part of us that we build up over time to protect us from fears and dangers that our true selves don’t deal with directly. So we develop this ego. The ego doesn’t think. It runs on autopilot. It can take over and run you if you let it.
Planning requires introspection. It requires taking a look at ourselves, our lives, our families. Planning requires us to look at the good, bad and the ugly of our lives. Many of us are protected too much by our egos to get that vulnerable. To take a realistic look at your life takes courage. To get vulnerable and discuss financial wealth with an attorney would require a removal of that protective ego to lay everything out on the table. True planning works that way, though. The best planning comes from a total honest and reflective look at the person, their desires, their savings and their family. It requires one to get in touch with their feelings. What do you feel? What do you want? This can be hard for some people. This can be hard for most people. When we drop the ego we become vulnerable and can engage in true planning because we see ourselves and others through an unclouded lense. We hear our true selves.
The planning I do, like in depth estate planning, works best when my clients trust me. Really, that is the only way it works. The more real and vulnerable I am, the more real and vulnerable they are willing to be and the better, more true and real plans we can create. I have worked for years to plan my life, my business, my family and I fail miserably lots of the time. It is from these failures that I learn. That I apply those lessons to my own life and convey those lessons to my clients. There was one time I thought it would be a brilliant idea to create a virtual estate planning platform. I spent tens of thousands of dollars on it. The project sits unfinished and I realized the platform would compete against our brick and mortar offices. I did, however, learn a ton from that project. I still use bits and pieces of that project in other ways today at our firm. It is through trial and error and learning and growing that we make progress. I share all my failures with client if appropriate and relates to the subject at hand so the clients won’t have to make the same mistakes. I have seen what works and doesn’t work with thousands of clients through handling their estate plans and probate estates. Ultimately, I (…and my ego) take pride in the fact we have saved literally hundreds of millions of dollars for clients over the years. I have experience with being vulnerable. I have sobbed my eyes out reading a poem on Facebook to all of our followers before. Talk about setting aside your ego. It would satisfy my soul if at the end of my journey a crowd of people might gather and say, “Greg was a great guide.” That is what I want to be, a guide… a guide that helps you navigate life and your estate planning journey for the betterment of you and your legacy. Call me if I can help at 704-749-9244 or reach us online at mcelderlaw.com.
Can we help protect your future?
FREE CONSULT
1. Let’s look at saving assets.
2. Let’s look at protecting family.
3. Let’s plan for the future.
704-749-9244
Book online: mcelderlaw.com/freeconsult
IN PERSON . VIDEO CONSULT . PHONE CONSULT
Greg McIntyre Elder Law Attorney
written by:
Greg McIntyre
Elder Law Attorney
704-749-9244
greg@mcelderlaw.com
Can we help protect your future?
FREE CONSULT
1. Let’s look at saving assets.
2. Let’s look at protecting family.
3. Let’s plan for the future.
704-749-9244
Book online: mcelderlaw.com/freeconsult
IN PERSON . VIDEO CONSULT . PHONE CONSULT
