Q. I’m finding it harder to stay positive about working with some of the majors. It seems every new initiative is designed for everyone except brokers. How do you stay motivated when it feels like the people you’re relying on aren’t supporting you?
One of the quickest ways to drain your energy is to focus on what you can’t control.
When we’re frustrated with a person, organisation, or system, it’s easy to fall into the habit of constantly analysing what they’re doing wrong. The problem is that while this might feel productive, it rarely changes the situation. Instead, it often leaves us feeling resentful, powerless, and stuck.
Here’s the thing: the frustration that bubbles up is usually a signal that reality isn’t matching your expectations.
Many brokers entered the industry expecting lenders to be partners in helping them deliver great client outcomes. And let’s be fair – they usually do. But when decisions are made that feel misaligned with that expectation, disappointment is a natural response.
The challenge is not allowing that disappointment to become your primary focus.
A useful question to ask yourself is: “What is still within my control?”
You may not be able to influence a bank’s distribution strategy, technology investment, or service model. But you can influence the experience your clients have with you.
The people who maintain their energy over the long term tend to spend less time fighting reality and more time adapting to it. They acknowledge what’s frustrating, but they don’t allow it to dominate their thinking.
Industries evolve. Business partners change priorities. The brokers who thrive are rarely those with the fewest obstacles. They’re the ones who stay focused on where they can add value, regardless of the environment around them.
If you have a question that you’d like answered by psychotherapist Bronwyn Penhaligon in the Your Health in Mind section of The Adviser, you can email your question in confidence to [email protected].
Or, if you feel you need more support, you can visit penhaligons.com.au to schedule a one-on-one appointment.
