My Blog Circle:

• Elizabeth Jetton

My vision has always been to live a "SEAMLESS LIFE", that is, to be the same authentic person in all aspects of my life - family, friends, work, etc.  

My husband and I are shareholders and principles in the financial life planning firm, RTD Financial (www.rtdfinancial.com).  I love helping clients discover what truly matters, to be inspired to make choices that serve their dreams and to integrate their internal issues around money with their financial and lfie aspirations.

I also coach and consult financial planners so I can help develop the profession by helping other advisors to be their best and to offer their best to their clients.

I am a former president of the national Financial Planning Association.  I was listed as a "Mover and Shaker" of the financial planning profession in 2005 because of my advocacy work on behalf of the consumer, for meaningful regulation, disclosure and transparency in our industry.

I speak nationally and internationally to both the public and the profession on money topics, including:'Thriving in Uncertainty: the future of money"; "Planning for a Vibrant Second Half of Life and "The Art and Heart of Financial Planning."  I was just selected as one of the Top 50 Women in Wealth Management.

I just became a professor in the California Institute of Finance at California Lutheran University, teaching in the MBA in Financial Planning program, via on-line.

I began life on a spiritual quest that led me to begin a meditation practice at 16 and to become a teacher of meditation at 20.  That, strangely enough, has made me a better financial planner!  It has certainly been one of the core constants in my life.

I'm also passionate about conversation and community and continue to host and facilitate circle dialog, world cafe and other practices that bring people together to talk about what matters, like we do here at VibrantNation.

I'm a graduate of The New School University in New York City and hold the Certified Financial Planner(R) professional designation.

I expect to work forever because it brings me meaning, connects me with amazing people and challenges me, but I love controlling my work time and balance with self-time, relationship time and nourishment time.

How did you get to where you are now?

It has been a spiraling journey, not a linear one.  My dad, Charlie, has been a huge influencer: someone who encouraged but did not dictate; who set an example of the importance of loving your life and at the same time, being responsible to others.  I follow the spark of "yes", I follow my passions and I am resilient and fairly much a risk taker.

I have had mentors, peers who challenge me, appreciate me and encourage me.  My husband, Michael J. Smith, has given me the space to be whole, to pursue what matters to me and encourages me.

I think going to a difficult girls school in junior high, actually had a major impact although at the time I was furious!  I learned to think, to stand out and to believe in myself.

I am where I am now in part because of my weaknesses: I don't follow others or work for others well so i've had to build my own and seek out those I could collaborate with.  I am restless and interested in a lot of things so I have evolved my work and life rather than settled in.

How do you see yourself differently now than you did 10 years ago?

Ten years ago I was at the beginning of a new phase of my life: new marriage; just connecting with people who inspired me, shared some of my passions around the true meaning of financial planning and the impact it could have.  I was emerging out of very painful personal situations, still in the early stages of building my business and filled with uncertainty.

Now I have the confidence that comes from following one's own true north.  I feel full in my life, still incomplete, but seeing the power of following those sparks of "YES".  I also feel the creeping of TIME.  Of being older.  It's the best of times and yet the body demands more attention to stay together!  I feel some sense of urgency.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Healthy.  Deeply connected to a group or groups involved in gathering women especially, together to share their stories around money, become empowered and making a difference in the world.

I will feel more urgency.  I hope to live in a smaller community among friends, a multi-generational community that is beautiful.

Thriving in the face of uncertainty!  Being a grandmother a few times over.  And loving it.