“Mediocrity doesn’t shout. It whispers. And that’s exactly how it spreads.” - Inspired by Hugh MacLeod
When it comes to your financial future, the danger isn’t always poor advice - it’s average advice.
Too often, mediocrity in financial planning shows up as convenient overthinking, glossy generalities and the repetition of cookie-cutter strategies. On the surface, it feels familiar - even comforting. But underneath, it reflects a deeper issue: a lack of meaningful thought, insight or genuine curiosity about what makes your situation unique.
At Town Close, we believe the enemy of great isn’t bad - it’s “good enough.”
Signs of Mediocrity in Financial Planning
- You get a product, not a plan
When financial planning is little more than a vehicle for selling investments or insurance, you're likely just getting a dressed-up product pitch. - Everything feels templated
If your adviser could swap your name with someone else’s and the plan still reads the same, that’s a red flag. Your values, goals and life stages aren’t boilerplate. - You do all the chasing
When follow-ups, adjustments or reviews are always on your shoulders - not proactively offered - that’s not a relationship. That’s a transaction. - Complexity without clarity
There’s jargon, pie charts, projections but no real understanding of what it all means for your life. Complexity used to confuse rather than illuminate is a sign of laziness, not sophistication.
How We Keep Mediocrity Out of TCFP
We build our process around being intentionally uncommon. That means:
- We start with you, not the numbers
Our planning begins by understanding your values, purpose and ideal outcomes - then we build the technical architecture to match. - We challenge ourselves to avoid clichés
Just because something is industry-standard doesn’t mean it’s what you need. We constantly question assumptions, even our own. - We over-communicate
You’re never left wondering, “What’s next?” or “What does this mean for me?” We use simple, clear language to translate complex topics into real-life implications. - We reflect back what matters
Good planning helps you see yourself and your future more clearly. That’s what our work is designed to do - grounded in empathy and insight.
“Mediocrity is infectious, yes. But so is excellence.”
At TCFP, we choose excellence. Every day, with every client.