I recently had the opportunity to attend a conference in Chicago for the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).
Attending financial planning conferences is exciting because it gives me an opportunity to get out and learn from other professionals.
But that can also be intimidating.
I’m always concerned that I won’t be able to keep up in conversations with my peers or that I won’t have anything to contribute.
Imposter syndrome really seems to hit me at NAPFA conferences in particular because I’m surrounded by a community of bright, motivated, and successful people that are just as passionate about fee-only financial planning as I am.
Then I remembered this quote: “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.”
People who know everything have nothing to learn. There is no opportunity for growth if there is no room for growth.
When you find yourself in a space where you are among intelligent, high performers, then you are presented with an incredible opportunity – the opportunity to grow.
I found myself in the right rooms at the conference.
In three short days, I learned helpful techniques to improve my skills as a financial planner and met so many brilliant people, people who are far smarter than me. I was reminded that it’s good to be introduced to concepts that I can use to develop new strategies that help make my client’s lives better.
Rooms, where we feel smart, are safe rooms. They are comfortable rooms, but they are not rooms where we grow.
Take a chance on something that makes you challenge yourself and change will come your way. And always questions if you are in the right room.