Back to Team
I stepped off the plane into an entirely unfamiliar country at 18, my first time traveling solo. Having saved for a year, I was thrilled by the freedom to execute my own itinerary and shape my own memories.
On a cool summer evening, I set out for a fine rooftop restaurant. Equipped with a hand-drawn map from my hotel clerk, I set off, weaving through streets and narrow pathways. I turned down an alley where a group of teenagers played loud music and threw rocks. I paused, weighing an alternative route, when I realized they were staring at me. Suddenly vulnerable, I clutched my map and walked toward them, trying to project confidence.
As I nearly passed the group, their soccer ball nudged my shoe. Hesitantly, I kicked it back. They broke into cheers, and their expressions shifted to warm smiles. The tension melted away. We struck up a conversation about the neighborhood and their favorite local spots. It was the exact expert insight and advice you could only truly learn from a local.
After saying goodbye, I realized I had dropped my map. Ultimately, it didn’t matter. My strategy had shifted from rigidly adhering to my initial expectations to keeping an open mind and being receptive to new insights.
Years later, as a financial advisor, this memory resurfaced with new clarity. Now, I realize this experience shaped how I work with my clients, helping them learn to adapt and be open to the kinds of changes that can make their financial plan successful, even if the end result isn't what they initially expected.
Outside of Work
I love running in races across California. Backpacking the Sierra Nevada mountains and learning something new about its geography each trip keeps me inspired.