Asia Advisers Network fan Sheron Tan, Senior Financial Services Consultant, AIA Singapore, shared with us her experience after qualifying for and attending her career's first MDRT Annual Meeting which took place in Los Angeles this year. Her verdict? "Once you attend MDRT Annual Meeting, you'll never want to miss it again."
She started off in the industry as an “undergraduate adviser” six years ago. Juggling both studies and her nascent insurance career then was a challenge. But with her entrepreneurial spirit burning bright, she persevered. “I learnt what the word ‘focus’ really means,” she said.
She completed her studies in 2014 and graduated with a degree in hospitality management. She did ponder for a moment whether to pursue a career in the hospitality industry.
But after a chat with her agency leader, she made the decision to stay in the insurance industry because she had fallen in love with the important role a professional financial adviser plays to help families and felt a sense of responsibility to her clients who had placed their trust in her.
Her leader did not stop there. He challenged her to qualify for MDRT to demonstrate to herself and her loved ones that continuing on her journey in this career was the right move even after all her hard work to graduate from university.
Didn’t even dare to dream about MDRT
Even then it took her some time. “MDRT just felt like a far-fetched goal to me right out of school. I didn’t even dare to dream about it,” she said.
But in 2016, she heeded her leader’s advice and decided to challenge herself to qualify for this prestigious mark of excellence.
Alas, despite her best efforts, she missed out on qualification in 2016.
Instead of feeling despondent, she redoubled her efforts, determined to prove to herself that she made the right career decision.
“I attended a lot of workshops. Kept upgrading myself. I even searched and watched plenty of YouTube videos to equip myself with more knowledge and skills. It was then my leader and I chanced upon Dato’ Norman Pang,” she said. Norman is a leading agency leader in Malaysia.
Inspired by Norman’s sharing, Sheron and her leader drove to Kuala Lumpur hoping for a chance to meet and learn from him. Impressed by their sincerity and eagerness to learn, Norman took them under his wing.
Pic: Sheron Tan (R) and her agency leader Reeve Cheong (L) flanking Dato' Norman Pang
“Dato’ Norman became our mentor. He has been a very inspiring figure to me. My skill level and general knowledge improved tremendously under his guidance and system. Other than technical skills, he taught me the importance of communication and soft skills. These skills have allowed me to connect with my clients and friends on a deeper level,” she shared.
The indescribable feeling of breakthrough
As a result, she qualified for her first MDRT in 2017.
She said, “On the very day I completed it, the emotion was indescribable. The unbelievable feeling of achieving my goal after a hard fight and the sense of accomplishment in achieving a milestone in my career. I finally did it!”
Reflecting on her breakthrough, she said it was an emotional roller coaster which forced her to grow as she had to face numerous rejections.
“Learning how to manage my emotions was my biggest takeaway. Regardless of how I was feeling or weekends and public holidays, I fixed two to three appointments on a daily basis knowing that what I do can help protect more families out there. Also, it may sound cliché, but follow the right leader and the right method and you will get there,” she said.
Read also:
Reader spotlight: MDRT is not THE goal - Royston Tan
One of the reasons she fought so hard to qualify for MDRT was also because she heard so much about the annual meetings.
“Many of my seniors told me that I MUST go to the annual meeting. They said that once I attend, I will never miss my MDRT again,” she shared.
#MDRT2018
At the recent MDRT Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, she witnessed for herself the eagerness and willingness of fellow members to learn from top producers from around the world.
“Members ran into the halls to get good seats and the energy level was superb. Speakers shared their life experience and inspired all of us to continue serving clients with our heart. At the end of the day, nothing matters more than helping our clients achieve their retirement goals, having the right policies that serve their needs and seeing grateful faces that satisfied faces when claims are approved,” she said.
She added, “And I’ve got to agree with what my seniors told me. After attending the annual meeting and witnessing the energy and sincere sharing, you’ll never want to miss it again.”
Success is not achieved alone
From clients who have become close friends and her pillar of strength to her agency leader and mentors for their guidance to her family for giving her the space to chase her dream, she is thankful for the help and support she got along the way as success is not achieved alone.
“Last by not least, thank you Asia Advisers Network for creating such a wonderful platform for the industry. One that is filled with such rich content and so many stories we can draw inspiration from!” she concluded.
Asia Advisers Network is the official media partner of Singapore's first MDRT Day happening on 28 August.
Sign up here.
PS: If you're a fan of Asia Advisers Network too, drop us a note!