Are all positive feelings considered Level 3 values?

Article ID: 198

Last updated: 20 Nov, 2019

No. Level 3 answers are akin to what Maslow described as self-actualization.

On the one hand you want to learn the process and on the other hand try not to over-think it. Relax. Ask the questions. Enjoy the conversations.

It’s supposed to be fun – for them and you.

Also listed in

Values Conversation™ -> Value Levels 1,2, and 3

« How do I identify true values in people's answers? Sometimes my...

How should I handle answers during the Values Staircase™ that... »

Others in this category

Some people were analytical during the Values Conversation™ and it made them very uncomfortable. They felt under pressure to be "touchy feely". I would get the response, “What do you mean What Is Important About Money To Me?” Every response was factual as to what it would buy. Would you just politely move on to the goals section? They liked setting some goals but didn't identify with the "What are one or two words that describe what you are thinking/feeling..."

I'm new to Values-Based Financial Planning™ and am looking forward to the Academy 1 in October. In the meantime, I wanted your guidance on the following: I've been referred to a young family man who is dying. I'm wondering about how he'll react to a question like, “What’s Important About… To You?” and probably more so to the question about his tangible goals... especially as he doesn't have much of a road to look down. How do you handle conversations with people who are dying, especially young people with families?

I've been having some difficulty in the values conversation with clients not going "higher" than basic needs. It almost seems like I need to cue them that it's OK to go beyond money and that I want to hear about the things that are really important to them. They seem to not understand that and there's nothing in the script to let them know that. To be honest, I’ve deviated from the WIA__TY and the associated framing/bridging framework in order to have clients understand what the exercise is really about...I found it frustrating to keep hearing that money is important to pay bills without anything deeper or more important. Please share your thoughts on these several issues.

Going into my first Financial Road Map® interview, do clients ever ask or express skepticism/sarcasm at the, ‘What’s Important About…To You’ questions because it's just a fill in the blank formula. I ask because someone I practiced with asked this and I must admit that I felt a similar feeling. I know that the process works and gets to important values, but it feels almost too simple. Please offer your thoughts and perspective.

Why shouldn't I use words like "great" or "good answer" after my clients value responses?

» More articles