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EPISODE 187 Be + Do = Have
Michael Ball, CPWA, began in banking, became a financial advisor in 1983, and opened the Manassas office for Scott & Stringfellow. Rose into senior leadership through BB&T and Truist Wealth. Built elite advisors through the “Topgun” development program — treating his team like clients. Now leads Ball Consulting, helping advisors grow with clarity and discipline.
🧭 “BE” intentional about who you are
Start by deciding the identity you want to inhabit. Do you want to be a calm guide in crisis, a relentless learner, a process-driven advisor, or a people-first leader? When you know who you want to be, your daily choices line up with that identity.
Use this quick exercise: write one sentence that starts with “I am a…” and then list three daily habits that support that identity.
This is the “Be” in Be + Do = Have. Without it, actions are inconsistent and fragile.
🔁 Do: Build repeatable processes
Once you know who you are, design the systems that support it. Top performers are process-driven.
They don’t wing it. They document their service model, create rules for client acceptance, and standardize how advice is delivered. The goal is to build once and build right so you don’t have to keep rebuilding.
💰 Have and save first; invest second
For finance, saving is the engine. Time and consistent saving are your greatest diversification tools. Make saving automatic and treat it like a nonnegotiable bill. From there, investments and compounding do the heavy lifting.
Automate contributions to retirement plans and savings accounts.
Prioritize tax-advantaged accounts and a financial plan before chasing “hot” investments.
Remember that spending on experiences often gives more long-term value than accumulating things.
