The Long Run: Why You Need a Financial Coach

As a novice marathoner I thought a coach was supposed to help me with running form and preparing for endurance. I came to realize true value lies in preventing you from self-destructing in the process. Completing 42km isn't a test of top speed. It’s a masterclass in managing effort, energy, and, most importantly, the mind. In the world of investing, the logic is identical: success doesn't go to the person who starts with the most euphoria, but to the one with the discipline not to quit when the road gets steep.

The Discipline of the 'Slow Run'

One of the most common mistakes for novice runners is trying to go fast during every training session. However, the secret of elite marathoners is the easy run: running at a deliberately slow pace to build the aerobic base that allows them to endure the distance later.

In finance, an adviser fulfills this vital role: maintaining the discipline of the "slow run." While the market bombards you with promises of explosive returns and "get-rich-quick" schemes, an adviser reminds you that:

• Compound interest requires stillness: Much like aerobic capacity, capital needs time, not adrenaline spikes, to grow.
• Speed kills strategy: Chasing immediate results is the financial equivalent of sprinting at 5km: it will leave you sidelined long before you see the finish line.
• Ego is the enemy: A good coach forces you to go slow today, avoiding the emotional traps of market volatility, so you can go the distance tomorrow.

From Intuition to Technique

We trust doctors to prevent injuries and architects to ensure our homes are structurally sound. It is, therefore, a contradiction to trust a lifetime of wealth to mere intuition or "hot tips."

Just as a runner develops flaws in their stride that lead to chronic injury, investors carry cognitive biases — overconfidence, loss aversion, or the "herd mentality" — that ruin long-term results. A financial adviser is the external eye correcting your technique in real time. Their role is not to sell products, but to design and accompany a strategy that adapts when you change jobs, suffer a setback, or shift your life priorities.

The Value of Not Running Alone

Data from developed markets confirms a clear trend: investors no longer want to run alone. In the United States, the percentage of people seeking comprehensive advice grew from 29% in 2018 to over half by 2023. This shift reflects an understanding that a professional’s value isn't about "beating the market," but about behavioral management.

In a marathon, the infamous "wall" appears late in the race, around 32km in, when the body begs to stop. In investing, the "wall" is a market crash. This is where an adviser justifies their existence, preventing panic from making you sell at the bottom and reinforcing a long-term perspective. Ultimately, real returns aren't measured by how much you gained in a single quarter, but by how long you managed to stay in the race.

Is Your Financial 'Coach' the Right Fit?

Before trusting your future to a professional, ask yourself these fundamental questions:

1. Do they act in my best interest? Are their incentives aligned with mine, or do they profit more if I take unnecessary risks?
2. Do they follow a structured methodology? Is their decision-making based on a technical, repeatable process, or do they simply react to the news of the day?
3. Is their vision holistic? Do they consider tax-efficiency and estate planning when building a portfolio, or are they only focused on picking individual stocks?
4. Do they listen before they propose? Have they taken the time to understand my fears, goals, and risk tolerance before handing me a "training plan"?
5. What are their credentials? Beyond required certifications, such as investment strategy adviser from AMIB in Mexico, what is their academic background, how do they keep up with what’s going on in the markets, and are they backed by a reputable institution? 

Investing is a personal journey, but it doesn't have to be a solitary one. The finish line is rarely dramatic or explosive; it is reached quietly, after years of consistency and informed decisions. Do you have the right partner you can trust to help you keep the pace?