Discovering What Is Really Important

Easter this year included time with my grandsons. Both were decked out in new shirts and fresh haircuts. They looked so handsome.

We got down to dying the eggs. This has been an event that Alex (the five-year-old) has enjoyed in the past. We got everything set up and Alex climbed up on the chair. Before he began to dye the eggs, my wife suggested we take off his shirt so as not to ruin it. All of a sudden Alex did not want to dye eggs. He got up and left the table. I went after him and told him that this would not take long and that he could get back to playing. Still he resisted. I told Alex, just give me a couple of minutes. That’s all it takes to dye the eggs. And I started to take off his shirt. By this time, we had traveled probably 15 or 20 feet away from the dying table.

Alex looked up at me and he said to me, “But papa, my shirt is so soft.”

I discovered that Alex’s reluctance to dye eggs had nothing to do with the process. It had to do with the fact that he loved his new shirt and did not want to take it off. We solved the problem by covering Alex in a large towel and he happily returned to the egg dying process.

When I meet with families, I like to take time visiting with them about why they are in my office. Sometimes it’s as simple as “I want to get an estate plan done”. But I like to visit and find out more: What really prompted them to come into my office. What is it that they are concerned about?

Once I discover that, then 90% of our goal is done: We know what direction we need to head to achieve what they need.

It’s important when you work with us that we understand what’s really important to you. Many times, it is “I want to stay at home”; other times it’s “I want to protect my property for my spouse”. There is not a right or wrong answer. What motivates you, motivates you.

When you come to visit us, we’re going to take an opportunity to try to help you discover what’s really important to you. Maybe it’s just as simple as the shirt is so comfortable and you don’t want to take it off.