Why I became a Life Coach - the essential skill for Wealth Management

In The Geometry of Wealth, Brian Portnoy emphasizes that self-awareness is the key to true wealth, and market savvy comes second. Tackling the big questions—like what makes a joyful life—leads to better financial decisions. Money is just a tool, and to use it wisely, we need to align it with the life we actually want. That requires self-reflection, conscious thought, and identifying when we’re acting in ways that contradict our desires.

Research from the Canadian Foundation for Financial Planning reveals a significant "Implementation Gap." Many financial plans are never followed through because too little time is spent on truly understanding the client's needs and uncovering the root causes of their financial struggles. Without this clarity, we won't be able to change the behaviours like overspending that get in the way of our goals. Or we may chase the wrong priorities—like focusing on retirement savings when you really want to start your own business, or saving aggressively when the best course of action would be using the money to improve your quality of life.

Coaching is crucial because it increases self-awareness and helps manage our thoughts—skills foundational to wealth-building. Our financial struggles often stem from how we think about money. For example, if you believe “I’m bad with money,” your behavior will align with that belief, keeping you stuck in a cycle of overspending. But if you shift to “I’m getting better at managing money every day,” you start taking actions that support that growth.

I became certified through the Life Coach School because I was blown away by how the tools, especially the Model, can transform lives. The Model is made up of five simple components seen below:

The Model

Circumstances: the facts of the situation

Thoughts: the sentences running through our minds about the situation

Feelings: the vibrations in the body caused by our thoughts

Actions: what we do or don't do

Results: prove the thinking correct

Circumstances are neutral, but our thoughts about those circumstances shape our feelings, which in turn cause our actions, and results.

Our point of power is our thinking. If you don’t like your results, it’s time to change your thinking. I used this approach to lose 70 pounds and keep it off, breaking free from the belief that losing weight after having kids was impossible.

The same mindset shift works for your finances. If you’re carrying thoughts of shame, fear, or scarcity, they will influence your actions and results. For example, you may overspend to avoid uncomfortable emotions or settle for less in your career because you don’t believe you're worthy of more. Changing your thoughts can lead to a shift in behavior—and ultimately, better financial outcomes.

I’ve helped clients break through limiting beliefs, increase earnings, courageous have important conversations about money with family members, and align their spending with their true desires. If you’re ready to change your financial mindset and achieve your goals, I can help you too.