5 Signs You’re Playing Small
5 Signs You’re Playing Smaller Than You Should Be in Your Career
You’ve worked hard to build a career to be proud of. But does it feel like something’s missing—like there’s more out there for you? That persistent nudge might be your untapped potential calling you to play bigger.
As a financial advisor, you’ve dedicated your career to helping clients achieve their goals. But when it comes to your own growth, fear or the pull of familiarity can hold you back. Staying in your comfort zone might feel secure, but it could also be limiting the success of your team, your clients, and yourself. If you’re feeling stuck, it’s worth considering what staying in your comfort zone might be costing you:
Serving a different client set: The firm you’re at may be wired for a certain type of client, but your vision aligns with serving a different set—and the status quo doesn’t support that.
Generational wealth potential: Without owning your book of business, you’re tied to retirement packages and incentives that may undervalue your work. The marketplace likely pays substantially more, leaving untapped opportunities for wealth creation and community impact.
Limited career growth for your team: Your team’s trajectory might be reduced by the limited roles available, which can stagnate both their careers and your leadership opportunities.
Stifled innovation: Familiarity with systems and tools might be preventing you from expanding your unique point of view—one that could contribute to the progress of the industry as a whole.
These factors often lead to dissatisfaction that grows over time. When you’re unfulfilled, it impacts not just your own career but also how you serve your clients and family.
Here are five signs that it might be time to think bigger about your career:
1. You Avoid Risks, Even When the Potential Rewards Are Life-Changing
Building a thriving practice requires taking calculated risks—whether it’s adopting new technology, expanding your service offerings, or transitioning to a new firm. If you find yourself setting easy-to-hit goals or avoiding opportunities because the unknown feels too uncomfortable, you could be holding yourself back from exponential growth.
Ask yourself: Am I avoiding certain risks even when the rewards could be incredible? What opportunities for growth am I passing up by playing it safe?
2. You Say ‘Yes’ to Decisions That Prioritize the Firm’s Growth Over Your Clients’ Best Interests
Many advisors work within frameworks and processes that benefit their firm more than their clients. Whether it’s “encouraged” Goodknights or minimum client AUM requirements, the firm you're with may be asking you to make compromises that conflict with what’s best for your clients and yourself.
Ask yourself: Am I okay (deep down) with the trade-offs that are being asked of me? What would it feel like to build a practice that truly aligns with your values and serves your clients better?
If you’re frequently putting the firm’s priorities ahead of your clients’ needs, it may be time to reassess who you’re really working for. By reassessing these priorities, you open yourself to opportunities that can fuel your professional growth, strengthen client relationships, and create a practice aligned with your values.
3. You Feel Limited by Processes, Roles, or Leadership Dynamics You Can’t Control
Do you ever feel like your potential is capped by bureaucracy or leadership decisions beyond your influence? Maybe you’ve hit a ceiling in your current role, have been overlooked for leadership positions or feel frustrated by decisions made at the top.
If you’re tired of working within a system that stifles your creativity and growth, it might be time to consider alternatives where you have full control over your practice and future.
Ask yourself: What could my career and practice look like if I designed it to reflect my values and ambitions? How different is that vision from where I am today?
4. You’ve Stopped Dreaming About What Your Practice Could Look Like in 5 or 10 Years
When was the last time you thought about the future of your business (outside of annual business planning)? The most successful advisors never stop dreaming. They’re constantly refining their vision and striving for something greater. If your day-to-day has become a grind and you’re no longer excited about where your practice is headed, you may have fallen into a comfort zone.
As yourself: Am I still energized and dreaming about the potential ways to expand the value we deliver to clients? How can I reignite my spark?
5. You Know There’s a Better Way to Serve Your Clients, But Fear Holds You Back
Deep down, you might already know what’s next for you. Maybe it’s transitioning to an independent model, restructuring your team, or focusing on a niche market. But fear—of failure, judgment, or the unknown—is keeping you from taking action.
The truth? Fear is a normal part of growth. But staying where you are out of fear means trading potential for safety—and that’s rarely the right choice.
Ask yourself: Is the hesitation I'm feeling a sign that I'm on the brink of something transformative?
What Would Your Career Look Like If You Played to Your Full Potential?
Recognizing these signs is the first step to breaking free from the patterns that keep you playing small. The next step is action: imagining what’s possible and giving yourself permission to pursue it. You’re not just thinking about a career move—you’re thinking about a better future for yourself, your family, and your clients. And, remember, wanting more isn’t selfish or disloyal—it’s about stepping into the best version of yourself.
As a recruiter and consultant, I help advisors transition into roles and models that empower them to thrive. My clients, advisors like you, build practices they fully own, lead on their own terms, and create legacies for their families and clients.
If this resonates, let’s connect. Let’s work together to explore how we can turn your vision into a thriving reality. Your future clients, team, and family are waiting for the best version of you to show up. I’d love to help you explore what’s possible.
