Blessings. Nearly every morning I take time to consider the day ahead and formulate a rough plan of action—a prime component of which is shuffling items into a series of mental lists of things that must be accomplished, should be accomplished and would be nice if they were accomplished. I ask for both guidance and the ability to adapt to the unforeseen and then either heroically charge or grudgingly trudge forth to face windmills and inconsiderately discarded chewing gum.
I’m routinely befuddled and/or annoyed by the daily interruptions to and unmet expectations of my plan. But often I’m also pleasantly surprised. Though running late, I saw a fox on the way in to work today and, not raising chickens for fun or profit, it made me smile. While working at home I kept an eye on the Masters over the weekend and the guy who won wasn’t my first (or second or third) choice, yet his was quite an accomplishment nonetheless. But further, there was one brief shot during one of the days when a beautiful heron flew into the scene and settled down on the course. Herons are not particularly rare in Georgia, as at least one friend of Broker World could attest (having lost a significant number of expensive goldfish from his ornamental pond), but the glimpse of this bird in a few unexpected, unrelated seconds during a four-day tournament full of amazements really made me happy.
I can be uplifted, warmed and comforted by many things unforeseen when I allow myself to be. The difficulty for me is maintaining the necessary shift in perspective. I’m more fortunate than most because I make a decent living and overall I love what I do. I’m annoyed by unmet deadlines, unfulfilled ad schedules, administrative snafus, travel costs, meeting conflicts, past due accounts, the inability to find a pen that works, and this damned computer that shut itself down—configuring updates—halfway through the first draft of this column.
On the other hand I am encouraged, grateful and warmed every time someone tells me that they love the magazine, or that Broker World is good for the industry, or thanks me for covering their meeting. I hope the work we do is beneficial and I certainly strive for that. Each issue put to bed brings a sense of accomplishment—sometimes greater, sometimes lesser. These, though, make up the understood framework of responsibility.
These are gifts: that I have a magazine, earn an income, have a home, a loving wife, pets, cars, clothes, food—that these particular things were given to me rather than to someone else. But the real reason I love what I do is the people I have been fortunate enough to grow friendships with over the 32 years I’ve been involved with Broker World. I can truly boast many dozens of people—BGAs, carrier and vendor reps, brokers and association staffers—whom I am genuinely tickled to see each time our paths cross. And I have more than my due whom I consider to be dear, lifelong friends. These many people are the truest blessing—the absolutely irreplaceable part of my love of my occupation and an inestimable part of the richness of my life.
The happiest of these folks I encounter are those who demonstrate this same enthusiasm toward their peers and those with whom they do business—carrier and vendor reps to each other and to BGAs; BGAs to peers, to carrier reps (sometimes even underwriters!) and brokers; brokers to BGAs—and I bet to their clients.
Insurance brokers have clients who depend on them for relief from a series of worries—family financial wellbeing, income replacement or continuation, legacy wishes, health care costs, long term care costs and more. Life itself is an exercise in dealing with the unforeseen, good and bad, and knowing that the people they love will be aided in the times of greatest need eases those clients’ minds and allows them a greater opportunity to enjoy their lives. Helping them plan for their wellbeing, that of their families and gifts to causes that have added enjoyment and purpose to their lives is the framework of a broker’s responsibility. Being of service in this way brings a sense of accomplishment. If my experience can be extrapolated, among a broker’s greatest blessings are getting to know his clients and care about them—hearing about the little things that brought them joy and offer you smiles. Keep your eyes open for the foxes and the herons. [SPH]
