Another option: "Another thing to consider is having a Plan B. The truth is that there are many things that could happen that probably won't happen. However, having an emergency plan or "Plan B" may make you feel better. An example of this is when a family decides to have three days of water and food at home in the event of a prolonged power outage or emergency. If your concern is about money and what might happen to the money you have saved and invested, you might want to have a go-back-to-work or work-longer-than-you-planned plan. Would you like to explore creating a plan like this?"
My personal opinion is that, barring a physical or mental disability that would prevent it, nobody should ever so unplug from the world that they couldn't do something to earn money in the event they either need to or want to in the future. The world is changing at such a fast pace that even a year out of the "groove" could dramatically cut a person's ability to make money without some significant effort to get back up to speed. You can be retired and still stay mentally sharp enough to make money.
It's much like physical fitness. It's much easier to stay in shape than it is to get in shape. Your best advice to your clients, working or retired, is to tell them to stay sharp mentally and maintain a very high level of physical fitness. These are two vital things that will help them weather any potential future storm and, therefore, give them more confidence about the future.
Fun option: "Instead of stressing out about Iran or Greece I have some advice for you: 1. Turn off the TV news! Stop reading the paper! 2. Go to the gym or Yoga or Pilates, take a class, keep up with technology, raise money for a charity you care about, etc. Perhaps sitting in the clubhouse having another cocktail with your buddies over yet another re-hashed conversation about how screwed up the world is or how badly President X or Candidate Y is failing isn't doing you much good. Break free from the Groundhog Day of your existence and create a better life for yourself! Focus on what you can control. Until YOUR entire financial house is in perfect order, until YOUR personal relationships are all functional and healthy and until YOUR physical fitness meets the metrics of a very healthy person of your age ... SHUT UP!"
"People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
-Ben Franklin"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."
-Reinhold Niebuhr
What's the value of a trusted advisor who helps their clients live the serenity prayer? Immeasurable.
Bill Bachrach is considered to be our industry's leading authority on the subject of building high-trust client relationships. To learn more about how his company can help you create your Ideal Life by building an Ideal Business exclusively with Ideal Clients go to www.billbachrach.com.