Adviser vulnerability: musings on the moon landing

Chandrayaan-3's success, where Russia's lander had failed, could be the start of discoveries that lead to great possibilities. Can moon ice be used for oxygen? Could it form the basis for a moon base with breathable air?

And it was a momentous moment, too, for India. It wasn't America or Russia or China. The dynamics of space engineering have shifted.

It marks a new hope for the country and a new hope, too, for mankind's discovery and exploration of the stars. 

There's a world of discovery out there, and a galaxy of wonderful things to see.

We have a fascination with the heavens, an almost atavistic desire to reach upwards.

But it comes at a price - as we know from all the failed missions to the heavens in decades past.

Not for nothing is the motto of Kansas, 'Ad Astra per Aspera' - 'to the stars through difficulties'.

What does this have to do with advisers? 

Actually, given this week, everything. 

So many advisers have been opening up recently about their difficulties, about their striving to reach those stars but finding the going terribly hard.

I'm not talking regulation or professional indemnity costs here - I'm talking about YOU. Each of you. 

Over the past week I have spoken to, and heard from, readers that I have known a very long time. 

One said she is having to sell their firm due to family issues. Another has received a cancer diagnosis.

On Monday, one reader said they were struggling after emerging from a painful and unexpected divorce.

Another told me they had a family bereavement.

One IFA emailed last night to thank me for something "after the year I've had, any such gestures are very much appreciated".

And yet another has apologised for not emailing back - because he is going through prostrate cancer treatment.

All the focus of the regulator on how advisers should treat vulnerable customers is vitally important. But when the regulator states in its annual market outlooks that approximately 27mn Britons could be classified as vulnerable at any one time, those 27mn include you.

How are YOU doing? 

Are you vulnerable? Are you going through difficulties now that are making it hard to see what your next step will be? Perhaps you feel you can barely lift your eyes to the heavens; such is the weight you feel right now. 

It's okay to feel that way. You're only human.

May I ask, what are you doing to help yourself? Are you still trying to put the oxygen mask on your clients and your families before you put your own one on?

Of course, you are the experienced, trusted adviser, the one who has led their clients through Covid-19 and Russia's invasion of Ukraine and now through the cost-of-living crisis.

But while you are determined to be the rock on which everyone else leans, who are you leaning on?

Are you getting the support you need?

Can you see the stars, even if you don't think you can quite reach them yet?

As I mentioned to one adviser this morning, our old school motto in the 1980s used to be 'Sursum Corda' - lift up your hearts.

So this bank holiday weekend I'd like to encourage you to be good to yourselves. Seek any support you may need. Find something to do that lifts up your hearts. 

And even if you are (and I hope you are) feeling on top of the world - or on top of the moon - do give yourself proper time to rest.

Turn off the phone. Ignore your notifications. 

(Obviously, not the ones from FTAdviser, just the ones from our rivals...)

Instead do something nice for you. There's a world of discovery out there, and a galaxy of wonderful things to see. 

Simoney Kyriakou is editor of FTAdviser