115. Tips on how to re-start a stalled (insurance) career

There comes a time in the life of quite a number of insurance professionals that their career seems to hit a plateau, having given their all and achieving a certain level of success, the need on how to continue growing and generating income for sustenance places a lot of us in a situation of loss and hopelessness.

I have been in this same situation quite a number of times not just in my insurance career but also in the other jobs I had in my long years in the financial services industry.

I have chosen this industry as a way to make a living, while selling products is the most straightforward way to create income, there are actually other ways to create value and be paid for it.

Do an "honest" self-assessment - at this stage of my career what are my strengths and weakness? in terms of the market I am trying to penetrate, are my skill sets updated and relevant? Are there any areas I need to enhance? 

One example would be during the recent Covid lockdowns, selling life insurance for me is difficult as the HNI market I am focusing on is not so keen of taking on a new insurance policy "online", as their needs are more complex than the usual saving for education or retirement track- there is a need to "meet them in person" for a careful and deliberate discussion to surface these issues and create a financial plan to address them, mobility restrictions obviously prevented these from happening.

As I cannot sell at this time, I shifted my focus to what I can do.

The ability to sell a financial product is the end result of a series of various activities that includes but are not limited to prospecting, qualifying, presenting and finally the close. 

How we brand ourselves as competent and reliable financial advisors can help a lot in the prospecting stage of the process, we can help build our brand by sharing our ideas and insights through public (online) forums!

This is what I did! instead of sulking and being weigh down by inactivity, I offered numerous speaking gigs to agency groups and companies to keep myself busy, I talked about the various challenges we are all facing and suggesting course of actions on how all of us can overcome. Some found it of value and I got paid for it, some I did for the purpose of building up my personal brand to stay relevant.

I can't honestly say that these created positive impacts to everybody who attended my talks. but it sure helped rebuild my self-confidence and place me on track for opportunities that came later.

So, if you are now feeling lost and unsure on how to move forward, the best way out is to remain "active" and identify ways and means on how to stay relevant.

Some things that you can do to stay on track:

Continuous Learning: Stay curious and open-minded, and actively seek out opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills. This could involve taking courses, attending workshops, reading books, and staying up to date with industry trends.

Stay Informed: Regularly consume news and information related to your field of interest or industry. Follow reputable sources, subscribe to newsletters, and engage in discussions to stay aware of the latest developments.

Networking: Build and maintain a strong professional network. Connect with colleagues, mentors, and peers in your industry. Networking can provide insights, opportunities, and collaborations that help you stay relevant.

but the most important is to be adaptable and be open to embrace changes, be willing to pivot your skills and strategies when needed. The ability to adjust to new circumstances is a key trait for staying relevant.

I am now consulting for a couple of life insurance companies to help them create products and expand distribution channels, work opportunities that most likely will not happen if I just let circumstances affect me negatively.

All the best my friends!

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