In this wellbeing focussed article written by Damian Zhang, paraplanner at Quilter Cheviot, he says that long-term success in paraplanning relies on balance. Prioritising your wellbeing, setting realistic goals, and working sustainably will not only reduce the risk of burnout, but also enhance quality of work and professional satisfaction.
In 2018, after work in London, I found myself on the Tube overwhelmed and in tears. It was a public moment that reflected how far I had pushed myself.
My journey into financial services began in 2011, just after the financial crisis. After struggling to secure opportunities and working various temporary roles, I was determined to build a more stable future.
With support from my wife, I secured an entry role within a large banking organisation, which sparked a strong interest in wealth management.
From that point, my approach was relentless. Long hours, commuting and continuous learning became the norm, with little regard for balance.
By 2018, I had achieved financial stability and secured my first permanent role and property. However, within months, the pressure resulted in severe burnout and a mental health breakdown, requiring significant support and impacting me for years.
Following this experience, I began to reflect not just on how I worked, but the type of role that would allow me to build a more balanced and sustainable career.
Having had that interest in wealth management sparked, I saw paraplanning as a natural fit. It provided an opportunity to remain intellectually engaged in financial planning, while shifting away from some of the more reactive and externally pressured aspects of other roles within the industry. Instead, the work is structured, analytical and largely within your control.
From a wellbeing perspective, this transition was significant. Paraplanning has provided me with greater control over my workload and structure, with much of it now planned and prioritised more effectively.
The role has also helped reduce some of the emotional pressure I would feel compared with client-facing roles during challenging periods, while at the same time still being a connected and critical part of the advice process.
This is not to say that paraplanning is without pressure. Its structure, however, can support a more sustainable rhythm. Completing a report, resolving a technical issue or helping shape a recommendation gives a clear sense of progress.
In a profession where much of the value sits behind the scenes, that visible evidence of effort can be important for confidence and motivation.
The role also keeps the mind active. Different client circumstances and planning objectives provide regular intellectual challenge, encouraging problem solving and continued learning without relying on the constant adrenaline that can come from more reactive roles.
Just as importantly, paraplanning is hugely collaborative, working with advisers and other paraplanners to share knowledge, sense-check thinking and find perspective during busier periods.
While our working styles and mental health are inherently personal, for me, the greatest benefit is that paraplanning rewards consistency rather than intensity, making any pressure easier to manage in a healthier, more sustainable way.
Ultimately, long-term success in paraplanning relies on balance. Prioritising your wellbeing, setting realistic goals, and working sustainably will not only reduce the risk of burnout, but also enhance the quality of work and professional satisfaction.
Paraplanning offers a strong platform for this balance, but it still requires conscious effort. Habits built daily will ultimately determine whether your career supports your wellbeing or challenges it.
In that vein, through my experience, I have identified six tips that I have found have worked in the years since my transition to the profession.
1. Build active routines – Regular exercise, in any form you enjoy, supports both physical and mental wellbeing and provides an opportunity to reset and improve focus.
2. Plan ahead – At the end of each day, noting three to four priority actions for the following day helps creates clarity and reduces mental load before you start work.
3. Take short resets – After completing intense work, step away briefly and return with a fresh perspective.
4. Strengthen adviser relationships – Open communication with advisers leads to a stronger understanding of client objectives and smoother workflow.
5. Collaborate with peers – Regular catchups with other paraplanners encourages knowledge sharing and creates a supportive environment.
6. Use tools effectively – Technology, including AI, can act as a valuable second pair of eyes for drafting and checking work, particularly for improving accuracy and efficiency.
Some of these tips may work, others perhaps not, but if we are to give clients the best outcomes, then focusing on your own wellbeing can often be a good place to start.
Main image: wellbeing, zac-durant-_6HzPU9Hyfg-unsplash
