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Reflections on life and money with Patricia Lovett-Reid
Posted on April 15th, 2009 7 comments
Last night I had the pleasure of joining my friend for a special event held by the Canadian Women’s Foundation, which is a really great charity doing some very interesting work supporting the financial and personal development women and girls. Patricia Lovett-Reid (Senior VP of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc, a financial planner and host of BNN’s Money Talk) was the featured speaker at the event. I’m so glad that got to hear Patricia’s funny and insightful, meandering speech. Here are a few of the interesting points she made:
1. It’s not too late. It’s not to late to change direction, to change your financial habits, or change your career. Patricia did not attend university, in fact she struggled to finish grade 9 math. Now a notable financial expert, Patricia began her financial career working as a bank teller for many years, never expecting herself to climb much further than a clerical role. It wasn’t until Patricia divorced her first husband and wound up with the station wagon, and little else, from the settlement, that she thought “I can do better.” I felt moved by this statement, since so many of us are weary of changing direction, especially when we have already invested so much in making something work.
2. You might be the one holding yourself back. It took Patricia years to realize that she might just be capable of more than she thought. She urged the audience to reflect on the limitations we have ingrained in our heads. After all, if someone tells you that you can’t do something, you probably won’t listen to them. In fact you may even try harder to prove them wrong. But if you believe you can’t do it, chances are, you won’t.
3. Success if yours to define. In Patricia’s book, “Get Real” (which I shall promptly take out from the public library) she profiles 26 successful Canadian women. Each woman profiled has done exceptionally well - but to her own unique standards. The definition of success will depend and vary according to our own goals and aspirations. Success may look entirely different to each one of us. I appreciated this comment, because it validates different kinds of lifestyles. Achieving someone else’s definition of success is just not worth the effort, when we can put that energy into creating a life that truly satisfies us.
4. Start early. Not just with saving, but with giving. By starting at a young age, you can make a significant contribution, by helping to create the building blocks of change. Giving small amounts of money will add up over time to create significant impact.
5. Your best is good enough. You don’t have to be perfect. All you need to aspire to is your best self!
What do you think? Are you living out Patricia’s words or taking a different approach to your life and your money?
7 responses to “Reflections on life and money with Patricia Lovett-Reid”
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Wow, this is a great post. It doesn’t matter how young you are, or how old..we can all use some inspiration like this.
I really like #3. Success should be ours to define, not something that society dictates. It should be as unique as we are. And then, it’s acting on it. Sometimes little steps, sometimes leaps.
Several months ago, at age 54, I decided I would run a marathon in May. Not such a little step you might think, but in reality it is just that..a whole bunch of little steps along the way. Some hugely challenging, and some triumphant.
But it’s often the first one that is the hardest.
Thanks for reminding me how important it is to keep reaching for our dreams and believing they are achievable!!! -
Very inspiring! I like #2 the best! It’s so true! If someone told me I couldn’t do something it would just give me more drive to do it but if I think I can’t do something, I probably won’t do it.
Great post, SQ! -
Great post. I especially like #3. I’ve spent too much energy worrying about what other people thought of me and how I could live up to their expectations and definitions of success. But that drains the energy right out of you, so I’ve decided to pursue only my own dreams and to really think about the things that I love doing and that give me energy.
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Melaniesd April 16th, 2009 at 13:12
Great post SQ.
I saw that book at my local book store. Now I’m more likely to pick it up and check it out. I already checked my local library but they don’t carry it.
I’m very interested in reading about other Canadian womens success stories. It’s especially inspiring to me that Patricia Lovett-Reid does not have a degree. I also work in the financial industry and don’t have a degree. I am working on certificates through the Canadian Securities Institute.
It’s nice to see a woman work her way up to success as Patricia has.
I’m sure if you told my high school math teacher that I’m now a banker he’d laugh! -
What a great inspiration on a not-so-inspiring day! Thanks SQ! It was just the pick-me-up that I needed today! I too will look for that book at the library!
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I’ve seen the ads abound for her talks and wish I lived in a bigger city so I could hear her speak.
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What exactly qualifies Patricia Lovett-Reid to be an expert on investments? A Senior VP, you must be kidding. There is no mention of any financial designation, degrees. I’m guessing she’s the banks’ spokesperson to draw women investors to the banks. Sort of like BofM Sherry Cooper…except Ms Cooper is an economist. Big..big difference. I’m really disappointed in TD for trying to fool customers.
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