Some things are just too difficult or stressful to do on your own. Like a dietitian or a personal trainer, a financial advisor can help set up the right plan for you, then monitor and motivate you so you end up with the results you want.

There are four key benefits to working with an advisor:

Competence: Financial advisors provide the critical actions that help drive successful long-term outcomes, including planning, asset allocation, rebalancing and working with other financial professionals.

Coaching: An advisor offers education and guidance through the emotional cycles of investing, which can cause us to compromise long-term goals.

Convenience: You delegate the complex and time-consuming work of investing and planning to your advisor.

Continuity: It’s nice to have someone who knows your wishes and goals and can help preserve your legacy and protect those you care most about if anything happens to you.

Remember, choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important decisions you can make.

This article is an excerpt from a new book, “27 Principles Every Investor Should Know,” with sketches by well-known illustrator Dan Roam, coming out in early 2019.

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