Last month, I wrote about the power of process in shifting ideas from the abstract into something concrete, tangible. Since then, I’ve spent a great deal of time on some very important minutiae: from shaping a client onboarding experience that feels both special and effective, to building out a process to deliver ongoing, real, and quantifiable value. The time invested in choosing the right tools and building repeatable processes has demanded a level of undivided attention that I’ve found energizing and purposeful.

At its foundation, the dynamic between a client and a financial planner is a relationship like any other. And like all relationships, those grounded in clear communication and consistency are best positioned to grow and flourish. I spend much of my time thinking about how to tend this garden of trust and partnership with my clients. Herein lies my thoughts on three truths I’ve learned and live by.

Too often, Roth conversions are relegated to a year-end tax task. The reality is that this approach can be costly, because it fails to take advantage of market volatility—particularly the dips and corrections that can create some of the most compelling conversion opportunities.

At a minimum, you should already have a general range in mind for how much you plan to convert over the course of the year.

Like many passionate advisors, I spend much of my free time thinking about planning and about my clients. Inspiration and opportunity for reflection live in the everyday moments at this intersection. This Diary, so I choose to call it, is a monthly collection of things I’ve mused on, experienced, read, listened to, watched, or sang along to that feel worth sharing for their relevance in financial planning, or simply because they brought me joy. I hope you find some amusement, maybe learn a thing or two, and get to know me a bit better along the way.