It is common for PTSD sufferers to avoid activities, places or people that arouse recollection of the trauma, so avoiding the office and looking for a career change is a common outcome of PTSD. In addition, the traumatized advisor may avoid contacting clients, anticipating a negative, hostile conversation. I have spoken to many advisors, who, when they are stressed, simply avoid coming into the office or call in sick.
In Australia, for example, when the government imposed fee-for-service demands on advisors, removing the traditional commission-based services, a large percentage of advisors panicked and looked for new careers. If the thought of telling clients that they were moving to a fee-for-service status frightened advisors, imagine the huge impact of the economic collapse of 2008 and the anticipation of future collapses. Many advisors began to question whether they could continue to work in a profession where they have the huge fiduciary responsibility of safeguarding their clients’ family savings; moreover, making midlife career changes is also traumatic, so many advisors facing these decisions felt trapped.
So, how can advisors both prepare themselves for inevitable future economic and financial crises and rapidly recover from the stress they engender?
Be on the lookout for my upcoming entries, where I will teach you many skills to buffer yourself from the every-day stressors you face in your advisor role.
Dr. Jack Singer is a professional psychologist, speaker and a success coach for financial advisors. He is the author of The Financial Advisor’s Ultimate Stress Mastery Guide, which can be ordered in the FA Mag Bookstore. You can reach him at [email protected]. To learn more about his speaking and coaching services for financial advisors and his unique program for advisors’ client appreciation events, read more at http://www.funspeaker.com.