American Dream

Ah, The American Dream!  We hear this phrase frequently. Many people make reference to it and how we are in danger of losing it.  But what is this dream and is it uniquely American?

This country was founded on an idea.  An idea of freedom to do things our way, like worshiping without being persecuted.  Eventually, this idea led to a desire for freedom: freedom from the tyranny of taxation without representation.  Our revolution, and emerging government, gave us the constitution and the bill of rights, resulting in the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

After all the strife and struggle we have freedom of choice.  We can chose to live where we want, travel where we want, select a career of our choosing, and behave any way that is legal.  There are so many examples of this freedom of choice that could be expanded on, but I’m sure you grasp my idea.

This freedom of choice gives us our individualism.  In America, you can be anything you want to be.  Thousands of people immigrate to America for this opportunity alone.  Every individual can have his or her own vision of success and no one can say differently.

So, the essence of being an American is to dream.  We are a nation of dreamers.  What is your dream of an ideal future?  Go for it!  Your dream may be at risk, however, if you buy into the fear mentality perpetrated by the media.  There are still no limits to what an American can dream!  It may require new approaches and new thinking but the opportunity has not changed.

These are turbulent and challenging times and many people are overwhelmed.  What is needed is clarity about the issues.  This is what a leader does; provide clarity and direction toward a future that while different than what we thought, still contains the opportunity for self-achievement.  We have learned that the future is uncertain and complex.  Even so, we have tremendous resources available and information at our beck and call.  We, as individuals, have to make the most of our freedom of choice.

As a financial services professional, your clients are looking to you for that leadership.  Your own success is directly connected to how many people you help.  Providing clarity about financial security and issues involving financial products and decisions, is the help they need.  They do not want to be sold something but they will buy within their zone of comfort.  That zone of comfort is related to the question, will we be all right.  They want to buy the knowledge that, with your help, they will indeed be all right.  Help them navigate the turbulent seas with a clear plan that will assure them of reaching a safe harbor.

The American Dream of being able to make personal choices and to craft a life of meaning is very much alive.  Help your clients see clearly into the future and to make good decisions about how to navigate.  The rewards are obvious: your own version of the American Dream will manifest itself to you.