Advisors' Advice: 9 Big Mistakes We Made

(Related: Advisors’ Advice: 11 Financial Mistakes Retirees Make)

It’s hard for humans to admit to mistakes, but everyone makes them, especially when it comes to work. These can be rookie mistakes, business-building missteps or client headaches.

We asked advisors across the country what mistakes they had made as an advisor, whether related to investing, practice management or anything financial. Many were willing to share their stories, and how they changed their behavior going forward. These are mistakes that most advisors have made, most likely, but the key was how they corrected the problem and moved on.

Visit the slideshow gallery above to see what mistakes tripped up nine financial professionals and how they learned a lesson and changed their behavior (and business acumen).

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Advisors' Advice: 9 Big Mistakes We Made

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1. Accepting client spending at face value.

Carolyn Nolan, Private Wealth Advisor, The Nolan Group, Winchester, Massachusetts:

2. Forgetting you’re a business owner, too.

Jeffrey Edwards, President, Atlas Financial Planning, Irvine, California:

3. Being too loyal to an employer.

Sarah L. Carlson, Founder and Private Wealth Advisor, Fulcrum Financial Group, Spokane, Washington:

4. Proceeding without all paperwork in place.

Sallie Mullins Thompson, CPA Financial Planner and Tax Strategist, New York:

5. Forgetting to engage both parties in a couple's planning process.

John Cooper, Private Client Advisor, Greenwood Capital, Greenwood, South Carolina:

6. Not being discreet, even with couples.

Jeff Fishman, Founder and Managing Member, JSF Financial, Los Angeles, California:

7. Handing off financial plans to someone else.

Beth Blecker, CEO, Eastern Planning Inc., Nanuet, New York:

8. Servicing clients who are not a good fit and are toxic to your business.

Larry P. Ginsburg, Founder, Ginsburg Financial Advisors, Oakland, California:

9. Not corralling clients who want to beat the market rather than have financial goals.

Scott A. Bishop, Executive VP, Financial Planning, STA Wealth Management, Houston, Texas:

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Advisors' Advice: 9 Big Mistakes We Made

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(Related: Advisors’ Advice: 11 Financial Mistakes Retirees Make)

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1. Accepting client spending at face value. Carolyn Nolan, Private Wealth Advisor, The Nolan Group, Winchester, Massachusetts:

2. Forgetting you’re a business owner, too. Jeffrey Edwards, President, Atlas Financial Planning, Irvine, California:

3. Being too loyal to an employer. Sarah L. Carlson, Founder and Private Wealth Advisor, Fulcrum Financial Group, Spokane, Washington:

4. Proceeding without all paperwork in place. Sallie Mullins Thompson, CPA Financial Planner and Tax Strategist, New York:

5. Forgetting to engage both parties in a couple's planning process. John Cooper, Private Client Advisor, Greenwood Capital, Greenwood, South Carolina:

6. Not being discreet, even with couples. Jeff Fishman, Founder and Managing Member, JSF Financial, Los Angeles, California:

7. Handing off financial plans to someone else. Beth Blecker, CEO, Eastern Planning Inc., Nanuet, New York:

8. Servicing clients who are not a good fit and are toxic to your business. Larry P. Ginsburg, Founder, Ginsburg Financial Advisors, Oakland, California:

9. Not corralling clients who want to beat the market rather than have financial goals. Scott A. Bishop, Executive VP, Financial Planning, STA Wealth Management, Houston, Texas:

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1. Accepting client spending at face value.

Carolyn Nolan, Private Wealth Advisor, The Nolan Group, Winchester, Massachusetts:

2. Forgetting you’re a business owner, too.

Jeffrey Edwards, President, Atlas Financial Planning, Irvine, California:

3. Being too loyal to an employer.

Sarah L. Carlson, Founder and Private Wealth Advisor, Fulcrum Financial Group, Spokane, Washington:

4. Proceeding without all paperwork in place.

Sallie Mullins Thompson, CPA Financial Planner and Tax Strategist, New York:

5. Forgetting to engage both parties in a couple's planning process.

John Cooper, Private Client Advisor, Greenwood Capital, Greenwood, South Carolina:

6. Not being discreet, even with couples.

Jeff Fishman, Founder and Managing Member, JSF Financial, Los Angeles, California:

7. Handing off financial plans to someone else.

Beth Blecker, CEO, Eastern Planning Inc., Nanuet, New York:

8. Servicing clients who are not a good fit and are toxic to your business.

Larry P. Ginsburg, Founder, Ginsburg Financial Advisors, Oakland, California:

9. Not corralling clients who want to beat the market rather than have financial goals.

Scott A. Bishop, Executive VP, Financial Planning, STA Wealth Management, Houston, Texas: