A year ago, in January 2020, who could have imagined what the following 12 months would bring. I know many will look back and think it’s a year that they would rather forget. 

However, it’s important to remember that there are many things to be grateful for and many things to be positive about. 

From a personal point of view, I enjoy watching the birds from my desk, feasting from the newly-installed bird feeder.

I enjoy howling with laughter at ridiculous TV with my family.  I enjoy quiet, reflective time while walking the dogs across the beautiful Bedfordshire countryside. I might even go as far as saying that I enjoy my Zoom yoga and bootcamps. 

There are things that we have no control over. We must not to be overwhelmed by these things and instead focus on the things that we can control.

With this in mind, as we move into 2021, it's very much business as usual at our Financial Planning firm. If we have learnt anything from 2020, it’s how adaptable we as a business and a team can be.  We’ve embraced a new way of working – we’ve taken control, if you like.

Where previously we’d paid lip service to flexible working and a paperless office, the conditions have meant that we’ve had no choice.  Processes were changed to adapt to the new way of working and there are many that will stay in place as they are far better than the old ways. 

The long-awaited launch of a client portal was pushed forward with a vengeance and both we and the clients are embracing it, reducing paper use, printing and postal use beyond recognition. All client meetings have been completed screen to screen, rather than face to face. 

Many will want to return to meetings in the office, but actually for a large group of clients operating remotely is far more convenient for them.

But, what does 2021 hold? A week into the latest Lockdown and with us once more embracing home schooling while juggling our day jobs, one certainty is that there will be further uncertainty. But that won’t hold us back in our progress towards our goals. 

The goals will very likely be the same, but the route there and how we do it might just look a little different. Here’s to 2021! 

Nicola Watts APFS Chartered Financial Planner, Chartered Wealth Manager, CFP Chartered FSCI - director of Jane Smith Financial Planning

After joining the family business in 2000, Nicola qualified to provide advice in 2001, and has been a director of the business since 2006. Since the retirement of her mother (Jane Smith), Nicola bears sole responsibility for the management of the firm, and the advice provided to clients. Nicola is married to David and has two young children, Emily and Olivia, and Poppy the black labrador.