A lot of people think about switching careers.
They ask:
“Am I qualified?”
“Am I too late?”
“What if I fail?”
“What if this doesn’t work?”
But there’s a better question we don’t ask often enough:
Why not you?
Why not the person who’s built real experience the hard way?
Why not the one who knows how to lead, solve problems, serve people, and show up consistently?
Why not someone who’s already proven they can adapt and grow?
Most career changes don’t fail because of lack of talent.
They stall because of hesitation, comfort, or the belief that opportunity is reserved for someone else.
It isn’t.
At some point, staying put carries just as much risk as making a change.
So instead of asking “what if it doesn’t work?”
Try asking “what if it does?”
If you’ve ever felt a nudge that there might be something more aligned with your skills, values, or long-term goals—this might be your moment to explore it.
Why not now?
Why not this path?
Why not you?
If you want to talk it through, I’m always open to a conversation.
📩 Message me here
📞 Call: 701-866-9896
📧 Email: chris.poer@thrivent.com
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Every career change comes with a risk vs. reward calculation.
The risk is obvious:
Leaving something familiar.
Starting over.
Learning new skills.
Stepping into uncertainty.
But the reward?
That’s where people often stop short.
The reward can be:
• Greater control over your time
• Income tied to effort and impact
• Work that actually aligns with your values
• A future you’re building—not waiting for
The biggest risk I see isn’t changing careers.
It’s staying in a role that quietly limits your growth, your income, or your sense of purpose… simply because it feels “safe.”
Comfort can be costly.
At some point, you have to ask:
👉 Is the risk of change greater than the risk of staying exactly where you are?
You don’t have to leap blindly.
You just have to be willing to explore what’s possible.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your experience could translate into something more meaningful, more flexible, or more impactful—let’s have a conversation.
No pressure. No pitch. Just clarity.
📩 Message me here
📞 Call: 701-866-9896
📧 Email: chris.poer@thrivent.com
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Grow your career at Thrivent, where purpose is built into the work.
As a financial advisor, you’ll help your clients pursue their goals, protect what matters most and create meaningful change in their lives.
Learn more 👉 thriventcareers.com/4aNWxzQ
Lately I’ve been paying closer attention to how I manage stress—not just at work, but in life.
Because here’s the truth most of us learn the hard way:
If you don’t manage stress, it manages you.
For me, calming stress and protecting my health isn’t one big dramatic change. It’s the small, repeatable things:
• Moving my body every day—even when I don’t feel like it
• Getting outside and slowing my breathing
• Putting real boundaries around work and recovery
• Prioritizing sleep like it’s non-negotiable
• Fueling my body instead of just grabbing what’s convenient
These habits aren’t about being perfect. They’re about being present.
When stress stays unchecked, it shows up everywhere—decision-making, relationships, patience, focus, even how we show up for the people who matter most. Over time, it quietly erodes your health, your energy, and your clarity.
On the flip side, when you intentionally care for your physical and mental health:
You think more clearly
You respond instead of react
You lead better
You last longer
Your health isn’t separate from your success.
It’s the foundation underneath it.
Curious—what’s one thing you do to calm stress and protect your well-being when life gets busy?
I’ve noticed something over the years that feels obvious now—but I didn’t always live it.
I think more clearly when I feel healthy.
Not just physically strong, but well-rested, fueled properly, and mentally grounded.
When my health is dialed in:
Decisions feel less reactive
Problems feel more solvable
Conversations feel more intentional
Stress loses its edge
When it’s not… everything feels louder.
Lack of sleep clouds judgment.
Poor nutrition drains focus.
Chronic stress shortens patience and perspective.
Clarity doesn’t come from grinding harder—it comes from having the capacity to think well.
Health gives you margin.
Margin gives you clarity.
Clarity changes how you lead, work, and show up for the people around you.
Your body and mind aren’t separate systems. They’re partners.
When you take care of one, the other performs better—every single time.
What’s one habit that helps you think more clearly?
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What are you waiting for?
Not in a critical way—an honest one.
Waiting for the perfect time.
Waiting until you feel more confident.
Waiting until the kids are older, the market is better, the fear is smaller.
Here’s what I’ve learned after making a career change myself:
clarity rarely comes before the decision. It usually comes after you take the first step.
Many professionals feel the pull toward something more meaningful, more flexible, more aligned with their values—but stay stuck because they think they have to have it all figured out first.
You don’t.
You don’t need all the answers.
You don’t need prior experience in financial services.
You don’t need to make the leap alone.
That’s where we come in.
We help experienced professionals explore whether this path makes sense—at your pace, with transparency, coaching, and support. No pressure. Just conversation.
Sometimes the thing you’re waiting for isn’t a sign.
It’s permission.
If you’ve been quietly wondering whether there’s a different next chapter for you, maybe this is it.
📞 701-866-9896
📧 chris.poer@thrivent.com
Chris Poer
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
In financial services, the human relationship will always matter.
Markets change.
Technology evolves.
Tools get faster and more sophisticated.
But people don’t stop needing to be heard.
Behind every financial decision is a family, a business owner, a retirement dream, or a moment of uncertainty. No algorithm can replace empathy. No app can replace trust.
For many of us who came from other careers, this truth is familiar. We spent years building relationships, leading teams, solving problems, and showing up for people when it mattered.
That experience transfers.
Real planning happens through conversation—listening carefully, asking the right questions, and understanding what truly matters to someone’s life, not just their balance sheet.
That’s why relationships matter more than transactions.
Why trust matters more than trends.
Why integrity will always outlast innovation.
In this profession, the greatest value we bring isn’t a product or a platform—it’s being present, accountable, and committed to the people we serve.
Because in financial services, the human relationship will always matter.
Chris Poer
📞 701-866-9896
📧 chris.poer@thrivent.com
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Where your experience creates a lasting impact.
After 31 years in another career, I learned something important:
experience doesn’t disappear when you change paths—it compounds.
The skills built over decades—leading people, solving problems, serving others—don’t stay behind. They become the foundation for what’s next.
In financial services, experience matters.
Listening matters.
Integrity matters.
When your work aligns with your values, you don’t just build a career—you help families make confident decisions and plan for what matters most.
This is where skills are transferable.
This is where purpose meets profession.
This is where your experience creates a lasting impact.
If you’re considering a second chapter, I’ve walked that road—and I’m happy to share what I’ve learned.
📞 701-866-9896
📧 chris.poer@thrivent.com
Chris Poer
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Some of the best seasons of my career have been the ones where my values and goals were in alignment.
Because when that happens, work feels different.
You’re not just grinding to hit a number.
You’re building something you actually believe in.
I’ve learned that goals are important — they create direction and momentum.
But if your goals aren’t connected to your values, success can still feel empty.
For me, alignment means:
✅ doing right by people
✅ leading with integrity
✅ staying focused on what matters most—faith, family, and purpose
✅ building a team culture where people feel supported and challenged
✅ pursuing growth without sacrificing who I am
When values and goals match, you don’t just work harder…
You work with more clarity, more consistency, and more fulfillment.
So here’s the question I’m asking as we move forward:
Are my daily actions helping me build the life I want—or just keeping me busy?
Because the best work really is done when your values and your goals are pulling in the same direction.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Plan your finances for the people, causes and community you love | ThriventExcited to share some great news…
We’re growing our team in the St. Cloud, Minnesota area!
I’m looking for people who are driven, coachable, and ready to build something meaningful — individuals who want their work to matter and who care deeply about helping others.
What makes this opportunity special is the environment behind it:
✅ strong training and development
✅ a culture of integrity and collaboration
✅ leadership support and coaching
✅ the chance to grow a career that creates real impact for families
If you—or someone you know—has been considering a career change, exploring business ownership, or looking for a role with purpose and support, I’d love to connect.
📍 St. Cloud, MN
📞 701-866-9896
✉️ chris.poer@thrivent.com
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Plan your finances for the people, causes and community you love | ThriventExcited to share an announcement…
We’re growing our team in Duluth, Minnesota!
I’m looking forward to connecting with individuals who are driven, coachable, and passionate about helping others — people who want their work to matter and who are ready to build something meaningful.
What I love about our environment is simple:
✅ strong support and training
✅ a team culture rooted in integrity and collaboration
✅ the opportunity to grow personally and professionally
✅ a career built around making a real impact in the lives of families
If you—or someone you know—has been thinking about a career change, a fresh start, or the opportunity to build something of your own with the right support behind you, I’d love to talk.
📍 Duluth, MN
📞 701-866-9896
✉️ chris.poer@thrivent.com
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
When adversity shows up in life, it rarely gives you a warning.
It just arrives — and it forces a choice:
Do I let this break my focus…
or do I decide what I’m going to do next?
For me, overcoming adversity isn’t about pretending things are easy.
It’s about having a pattern to fall back on when life gets heavy.
Here’s what I do:
1) I get grounded in what matters most.
Faith, family, health, and the people I’m responsible to. When those are clear, everything else finds its place.
2) I control what I can control.
My effort. My attitude. My habits. My consistency. I can’t control every outcome, but I can control my response.
3) I take the next right step.
Not the perfect step. The next one. Momentum is built through small actions repeated daily.
4) I lean on great people.
None of us is meant to carry everything alone. The right team and the right relationships make the hard seasons manageable.
5) I don’t quit when I’m tired — I reset.
Rest isn’t failure. It’s fuel. Sometimes the strongest move is stepping back long enough to come back sharper.
And how did I develop this pattern?
Honestly, it came from life experience.
From being tested. From learning what happens when you stay consistent.
From realizing that adversity doesn’t mean you’re off track — sometimes it means you’re being shaped for what’s next.
So here’s a question worth asking:
When adversity hits, what pattern do you fall back on?
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Some people don’t just face adversity — they rise because of it.
They’ve been through setbacks.
They’ve carried responsibility.
They’ve had to adapt, rebuild, and keep moving when it would’ve been easier to quit.
And what I’ve learned is this:
Those are often the exact kinds of people who thrive in financial services.
Because the people who overcome obstacles tend to have traits you can’t teach in a classroom:
✅ Resilience — they don’t fall apart when things get hard
✅ Ownership — they take responsibility instead of making excuses
✅ Hunger — they’re motivated by growth, not comfort
✅ Empathy — they understand people because they’ve lived through real life
✅ Coachability — they’re willing to learn and get better
✅ Grit — they keep showing up, even when results take time
Financial services isn’t just about numbers.
It’s about people. It’s about trust. It’s about helping families make decisions that change their future.
If you’ve overcome adversity in your life, you already understand something powerful:
Progress isn’t about perfection — it’s about persistence.
And that mindset is a competitive advantage.
If you’ve ever considered using your experience, your resilience, and your drive to build something meaningful while helping others, financial services might be worth exploring.
I’m always open to a conversation.
📞 701-866-9896
✉️ chris.poer@thrivent.com
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
At Thrivent, we know there’s no one-size-fits-all path to success as a financial advisor.
Whether you want to grow your own practice, contribute within a team or launch your career as a Virtual Advisor, there’s a place and a path for you here.
Start your journey ➡️ thriventcareers.com/44X6aZ7
When it comes to a career change, it’s easy to blame the job, the boss, the company, the industry… the circumstances.
But the truth is, the biggest driving factor is usually you.
Not because you’re unhappy.
But because you’ve grown.
You’ve learned what you value.
You’ve gained skills you didn’t have before.
You’ve developed a stronger sense of what you want your life to look like.
At some point, you realize you don’t need “permission” to want more:
More purpose.
More flexibility.
More ownership.
More alignment between your work and your family.
A career change doesn’t start when the perfect opportunity appears.
It starts when you decide you’re no longer willing to ignore what you already know.
And what you know is this:
You’re capable of more than staying comfortable.
If you’re feeling that nudge toward something different, trust it.
You might be the exact reason your next chapter is possible.
📞 701-866-9896
✉️ chris.poer@thrivent.com
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
If you’ve ever thought about switching careers, the real question usually isn’t “What should I do next?”
It’s why.
Because when your “why” gets strong enough, it changes everything.
Your “why” might be:
wanting to be more present for your family
wanting work that feels meaningful, not just busy
wanting to use your gifts to help people in a real way
wanting to build stability, freedom, and a future you’re proud of
wanting your career to align with your values
A strong “why” doesn’t just motivate you.
It gives you clarity when things are uncertain.
It keeps you moving when the transition feels uncomfortable.
It reminds you what you’re building when the old path feels “safe” but unfulfilling.
Most people don’t switch careers because they found the perfect opportunity.
They switch when they realize their current path is no longer aligned with what matters most.
So if you’ve been feeling that pull toward something different, don’t ignore it.
Ask yourself: What’s my “why”… and is it strong enough to lead me into what’s next?
If you want to talk through what a values-aligned career change could look like, I’m always open to a conversation.
📞 701-866-9896
✉️ chris.poer@thrivent.com
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
At some point, a lot of people start asking a quiet question:
“Is this really what I want to do for the next 10–20 years?”
That question is often what leads someone to consider a move into financial services.
Here are a few of the most common reasons I see individuals leave their current career to start fresh in this field:
1) They want work that matters.
They’re tired of tasks that feel disconnected from people. They want to help families make real decisions that shape their future.
2) They want more control over their life.
Not just a different job — but more ownership, flexibility, and the ability to build something that fits their values and their family.
3) They want their income to reflect their effort.
Many are done with “caps,” limited growth paths, or waiting for someone else to recognize their value.
4) They’re ready to build relationships, not just complete transactions.
Financial services is a long-term relationship business. If you like people, coaching, and problem-solving, it can be a great fit.
5) They want to bet on themselves — but not by themselves.
The right environment provides training, coaching, and a team around you so you can grow with confidence.
A career change takes courage. But staying stuck takes a toll, too.
If you’ve been thinking about a change and want to explore what financial services could look like, I’m always open to a conversation.
📞 701-866-9896
✉️ chris.poer@thrivent.com
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
A career as a financial advisor can be an incredible choice — not just because of the income potential, but because of the impact and the life it can help you build.
Here are a few of the biggest reasons I’ve seen people thrive in this profession:
1) You get to make a real difference.
Helping someone protect their family, plan for retirement, navigate a major life change, or build a legacy isn’t “just a job.” It matters.
2) Your work can align with your values.
When you’re in a role that’s built around serving others, trust, and long-term relationships, it feels different. More meaningful. More personal.
3) You can build flexibility and ownership.
Many advisors love the ability to grow a business, develop their own style, and create a schedule that supports both work and family.
4) Your income can reflect your effort and skill.
This career rewards consistency, relationship-building, and personal growth. Over time, you can create a powerful and sustainable income stream.
5) The right company support changes everything.
This is the one that doesn’t get talked about enough. Success isn’t just about talent — it’s about having:
• training that builds confidence
• coaching that sharpens your skills
• a team culture that supports you
• the tools and systems to help you win
• leadership that cares about your growth, not just production
When you combine a purpose-driven career with real support, you don’t just survive — you thrive.
If you’ve ever wondered whether financial advising could be the right next step (or the right next chapter), I’m always open to a conversation.
📞 701-866-9896
✉️ chris.poer@thrivent.com
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Thinking about switching careers can feel overwhelming… but it gets a lot simpler when you break it into steps.
Here’s a process that works:
1) Get honest about what you want (and what you don’t).
Write down what’s draining you, what energizes you, and what you want your work to support—your family, your faith, your schedule, your income, your impact.
2) Identify your transferable skills.
Leadership, communication, problem-solving, relationship building, coaching, sales, service—these skills move with you. Don’t underestimate what you’ve already earned.
3) Explore before you leap.
Have conversations. Ask questions. Learn what the day-to-day actually looks like. You’re not committing—you’re gathering clarity.
4) Find the right environment, not just a new job.
Look for values alignment, strong training, and real support. The right culture will accelerate your growth and protect your confidence.
5) Build a transition plan.
Timeline, income runway, licensing/training steps, weekly habits, and what support you’ll need at home. A good plan turns fear into forward motion.
6) Take the first step.
Not the perfect step. The first one. Momentum often comes after action.
If 2026 is the year you’ve been thinking, “I can’t stay here forever,” this is your sign to start moving—one step at a time.
If you want to talk through what a career change could look like, I’m always open to a conversation.
📞 701-866-9896
✉️ chris.poer@thrivent.com
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures
If you’ve been thinking about switching careers but fear keeps creeping in, you’re not alone.
A career change can feel risky — because it forces honest questions:
What if I start over?
What if I’m not good at it?
What if I regret it?
But here’s what I’ve seen over and over again:
The biggest risk isn’t changing… it’s staying stuck in something that no longer fits.
Most people don’t realize how transferable their skills really are.
Communication. Work ethic. Leadership. Problem-solving. Relationship-building. Serving others well. Those aren’t tied to one industry — they’re assets you can carry anywhere.
And sometimes the fear isn’t a warning sign… it’s a signal that you’re standing at the edge of growth.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to take a step.
You just have to be willing to explore what could be possible when your work aligns with your values, your strengths, and the life you want to build.
If you’ve been feeling that tug toward something different, don’t ignore it.
It might be time.
📞 701-866-9896
✉️ chris.poer@thrivent.com
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
