The financial planning process

Life Planning is the process of melding money with meaning. It allows people to live richer, fuller lives – personally, professionally and financially. For the plan to really take hold and move forward with velocity, the skills of a trained Life Planner are almost always needed. The Life Planning process has been developed by George Kinder of the Kinder Institute of Life Planning and is called "EVOKE™".

EVOKE™ is a simple yet profound 5-step process involving a series of conversations and exercises that enable Interface and our clients to collaborate in the creation of a vibrant and complete plan for your future.

Each of the letters of E-V-O-K-E stands for one of these 5 stages:

Exploration: A thought-provoking set of goal exercises are the starting point of the process. They include the famous "3 Questions" exercise that helps people think both broadly and deeply about what matters most to them in life.

Vision: The skilled Life Planner takes this material and challenges the client to sweep away doubts and craft their ideal life in as much detail as possible. The rush of vigour and vitality surrounding this phase literally "lights the torch", energising clients to achieve their vision in the shortest time possible. Goals are no longer something to be hoped for "some day" but immediate and vibrant - something to be worked on NOW!

Obstacles: "Money excuses" can be deadly, so it is critical for the client and the life planner to identify these and other potential roadblocks. The life planner provides vitally important support to keep the client on track for success through this often difficult phase. Surprisingly, some of the most stubborn constraints to getting the life we really want are internal beliefs. By working with a thoughtful professional who can validate the client's vision, these preconceptions can be dissolved.

Knowledge and Execution: Once the ideal life vision has been created and obstacles defeated, traditional financial planning skills of asset allocation, risk management and product selection are incorporated to complete the design and implementation of the life plan. The unique ability of Financial Life Planners is their ability to develop relevant financial plans that directly support life goals—a marriage of the creative and the practical.

The Financial Life Planning process is by far the most powerful and comprehensive way to do financial planning, as it focuses on your truest and most meaningful goals from the outset and clears away the money excuses that cause so many well intentioned traditional financial plans to fail. The results are extraordinary. People can turn unsatisfying, mediocre lives in astonishing new directions, following pursuits full of passion and significance. This is truly "financial planning done right!"