06/18/2023
"They don't talk about burn-out burn-out, no no"
Some of you may have noticed that I’ve gone a little MIA over the past several months. I have received so many messages asking where I have been, what is going on in my world, and what is going on with Planning Across the Spectrum. I appreciate all of the heartfelt acknowledgements – it’s truly humbling to know that I have left an impact to the level of being recognized when I am not around.">
So where have I been?
I’ve been right here and by “here”, I mean home - honestly for the first time in over 12 years. For the last decade, my home has been my work. My home has been my computer and my phone. My home has been my office. I have become my work and my work has become me to the extent that there was no longer a boundary between us.
Anyone who knows how we did things at Planning Across the Spectrum knows that we were far more than a financial planning company. I offered countless services and aids for those in the special needs community. A significant portion of our business was pro-bono work that was crafted around each of our clients to support their unique needs to the point that it was actually our tag line. Every client was treated with a plan that was completely tailored to their needs that went far beyond general finance. I was always INCREDIBLY responsive and answered emails, phone calls, and dealt with problems at hand nearly as soon as they came in. I am so, so proud to have helped so many individuals find the best services and craft the best financial plans to aid their future in the complicated world of special needs.
The problem was that there were lots of individuals who needed Planning Across the Spectrum, and only one me. Only one me to talk with every set of clients and their families and hear their stories, craft financial plans, help aid in finding social services, educational services, healthcare, and more. I was also often public speaking, joining advocacy boards, investing in startups, working on creating my own Fintech software, building the Neurodiversity Index, co-hosting a podcast… all while still trying (and failing) to be present with my own loved ones, especially my wife and two young kids.
It was too much.
There was a time that I *loved* my job. Before becoming a financial planner, I had an at-home business fixing computers. I love to fix things! When I moved to financial planning, I felt like I had found this space where I had the knowledge and skillset to truly make a difference and solve problems. It felt like a natural move. I got to see the technical side of finance, and I LOVED it. Fintech is something I am truly passionate about, even now. I started building my own software, working with tech companies and investing in their startups and it was incredible.
When I was diagnosed with Autism, I was hit by a community that was so underserved and I knew that I could help. I pivoted my entire business to fit that niche. It was great… until it wasn’t.
At the end of 2022, I really did truly try to figure out a way to organize the structure of my business so that it could operate in a way that needed *me* less. I worked on building a new software that would help automate some of our processes. I had 4 full-time employees and several part-time and while they are *great* at what they do, none of them had *my* skillset. All of them added together couldn’t even equal one Andrew. None of them had every piece. I would have to clone myself to really get the help I needed – that is just the truth. My second full-time job became managing employees and let me tell you – I did not love it, and I was not good at it. The more the business grew, the more taxing it became and the more it took away from what I was passionate about. By the end of it, I didn’t even know what it was I liked about LIFE anymore let alone my work.
In January of 2023, the physical and mental exhaustion of being solely responsible for so much finally overtook me. I just couldn’t see any other way to make all of this work and to find happiness again. The world was a better place with Planning Across the Spectrum, but it was at the expense of my life. My cup was beyond empty. The absolute truth is that I spent nearly two weeks in a psychiatric institution after nearly taking my own life with the aid of my wife. It was in the time period and with the support of those who truly care most for me that I realized I just needed to be done. I needed to move on to a new path. I needed to take some time to be a PERSON again who isn’t just their work. I needed to remember what about life I really loved.
I have spent countless hours trying to figure out a way to transition Planning Across to a new home. I have reached out to everyone in the space that I know. At the end of the day though, no one has the same vision that I did. I am Planning Across the Spectrum and it is me. Without me, it just doesn’t exist. The transition was just not possible and there is no one I can recommend who will provide the same services that I once did and with that said – Planning Across the Spectrum has been shut down.
I have handed everything over to my former employee and trusted colleague, Liz Yoder. If you happen to be a client reading this please know, your money is *completely* safe and you can contact Liz for any assistance you need. However, if Liz does not get back to you, (she was never as responisve as I would have hoped) or you don't like her, please understand I can't help you. There are many thousands of other financial advisors who I am sure would love new clients.
Her email is [email protected] (P.S. I don't like the name either, but I didn't pick it)
I will forever be proud of everything that Planning Across the Spectrum accomplished and just how many individuals we have helped. That being said - I know that I can’t change the world with one business but it has absolutely changed me. It nearly took my life. While it absolutely stings to see it go away, I know that it is what I needed to do. This just isn’t who I am anymore.
So, where does that leave me now?
I have spent the last several months out on disability leave. I have spent real time with my family for truly the first time since my children were born. I have loved getting to know my daughters in this new way and spending more time with my wife, all together in our home. Being a husband and a father is truly my greatest joy and the most fulfilling part of my life. It is something that I missed out on during those many years and while I regret that I can’t get that time back, I am grateful for all the time I have left going forward.
I have also been going back to my roots and my true passion – technology. I am currently enrolled in year-long coding program and hope to eventually pivot into the technology/fintech industries. In the very little spare time I had previously, this is what I was always doing and it is where I intend to land professionally. I already feel so lifted being back in a space of something I am so passionate about, while also so supported by my family.
You will still see me around! I still plan to be heavily involved in autism advocacy and am still on several non-profit boards, the Connecticut Autism Advocacy Council, and more. I am still invested in several startups that I am very excited for. I am still at the head of the Neurodiversity Index and hope to see that continue. I have also spent the last few years co-authoring a book on autism and employment that will be published soon – more to come on that at a later date.
I will still be here on Linkedin, Facebook, and wherever else under my own name to talk neurodiversity and the workforce, technology, and whatever else I may be feeling that day. I am looking forward to doing that without the fear of needing to stick within the regulations of my industry. I am looking forward to just breathing.
If you have read this far, know that I truly appreciate you and I am so glad that we can connect and I am looking forward to seeing how we can connect in the future. I plan to continue to post advocacy related information here. Everyone knew the financial stuff was boring anyway!
