Some Tuesdays begin like no other. So it was this week when I found myself sitting on a floor in South Wales at the back of a conference room, listening to a mysterious American explain something he defined as “chronic adultitis”.
It frankly took me by surprise. The Institute of Financial Planning’s annual conference, which I was attending in Newport, is something of an occasion for the industry and means a lot of different things.
Companies set out their stall in light of the previous year’s events, specialists explain their approach to funds and market conditions, valuable contacts are made and, under the cover of Newport’s glamorous Celtic Manor resort, advisers quietly let their hair down.
This is all to be expected. What I did not expect was to be told we should have a “mantra” and learn to “fall in love with ourselves again”.
But Dr James Rouse, the founder of Optimum Wellness Media and the man speaking to delegates that morning, is a big fan of love, mantras and motivation.
Speaking to the crowd of advisers and others, he urged us to break a cycle of stress and fatigue (chronic adultitis) using a combination of exercise, healthy and regular eating, and a sense of purpose.
This could, he argued, involve 12 minutes of exercise a day. At one point he provoked laughter by suggesting delegates “cause a ruckus” in their neighbourhood by getting up early for a rousing, and very public, bout of interval walking.
My sense of English reserve is all too great for such direct enthusiasm, but does he have a point? I know of advisers who have sailed, climbed and run their way to an impressive level of fitness, but I am sure others are too busy sitting in their cars or offices, day after day.
If we work out, eat better and “love ourselves”, is this a better way to work? Will advisers give better advice? Will I write with more clarity, and pay more attention to talks from the back of these large conference rooms?
America is great at creating inspirational speakers, and Dr Rouse is one. He built up an interesting backstory, worked through a series of jokes and catchphrases (even if telling financial planners to “stretch your sense of genius” seems unusual) and managed to make a coherent argument.
Some on Twitter appeared to love this. One attendee joyously tweeted: “What a fantastic day at #IFPconf Two great keynote speakers. Already ordered Dr J Rouse’s book.”
Others were less charitable. When, over lunch, I asked an IFA what he had thought, his first reaction was a rolling of the eyes.
But whether we love or hate Dr Rouse, the world of theories and mantras is probably here to stay. If a variety of recent reports are to believed, a new focus on issues such as emotional intelligence in financial services is developing, suggesting the industry could be looking in at itself.
Will advisers eat better, and learn to love themselves? Will we soon wake up with a very American sense of drive and inspiration?
If so, it will continue to liven up my Tuesdays.
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