Those four words seemed to echo in the career counselor’s room, as he delivered the verdict from my 300 to 400 question behavior/career assessment. I sat frozen, hoping that my stillness would offset some of the “Averageness”. My career horizon was looking dark, and my gut was preparing for his next words to be, “You would make a great used car salesman or traveling birthday party clown.”

I will never forget my mother’s face as she stared at him in silence. I couldn’t tell if she was frustrated, or if she had a stroke over the news that the last 18 years of rearing a child amounted to “Average”.

Leaving the counselor’s office no better than when we arrived, left a knot in my stomach. I had desperately hoped this counselor’s service would help shed light on the dim career path that lay before me. At that moment I was a failed med school hopeful, who met his doctoral demise at the hands of Chemistry. Having no backup plan, I was terrified and rudderless.

After sitting in silence, for what felt like ages, on our drive home, I turned to my mother and jokingly asked, “So what surprised you most about the test?” I was hoping my change in demeanor would soften her stoic exterior. And after taking a moment, she calmly said two simple words…“Character and Integrity.”

She continued with, “Son I learned today that a test can’t quantify a gentle heart, a listening ear, ferocious work ethic, a dedicated friend or an honest soul.” She added, “I gather that test didn’t ask you how many nights you worked until 1 am, to help ensure there was food on the table at the worst time of our lives financially. Or how after that shift you often would turn right around for a required 5:00 a.m. workout session for whatever sport you were playing at the time. I also don’t think that test could rate how gentle and caring, you care for the needs of others. And I don’t believe that the test knows how you sacrificially give of yourself when often there seems like there is nothing left to give.” She finished with, “Grant, you are one of the most kind, committed young men I have ever known.”

I sat speechlessly. Those had been the kindest words I had heard from her in weeks. Sure a mother is biased, but who knows you better than your mom?

With my mother’s words echoing in my head, I began re-working my way through the career categories outlined in my assessment. It was when I reached a financial planner, I paused. At a young age, I learned money involved trust. And I knew that the foundation of trust was built on everything outlined in that faithful commute home.

Whether through divine intervention, or blind luck, it just so happened that the University I was attending had one of the only Financial Planning schools in the mid-west. So after a few calls and more research, my “average” experiences lead to me making one of my best college decisions, graduating from Purdue Universities Financial Planning School.

Fast-forwarding a few years, I now get the chance to serve so many families with Character and Integrity. Helping many realize financial independence and freedom.

With many more years on my horizon, I look forward to the continual application of my mother’s wisdom from that day. So if you want a dedicated, honest planner to serve your family with integrity. I would love to meet you and hear your story.