Imagine if you had a chance to sit in a room with 500 topfinancial professionals. Imagine learning from them over the courseof a two- to three-day period.

What would you ask them? What would you hope to learn aboutbeing a successful financial professional?

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I consider myself lucky in that I recently found myself in thisexact situation. I attended Advisors Excel’s Journey event in SaltLake City, an event that brings together many of the mostsuccessful independent financial professionals every year. Whilethe city that hosted the event was beautiful, the tips and lessons I learned about the success ofa financial professional were second to none.

They can help you whether you are simply trying to sellinsurance policies, help clients develop comprehensive riskmanagement plans or general financial plans, or just live a goodlife.

I wanted to share with you the top seven things Idiscovered from these 500 titans of the industry:

1. It’s beyond the money

A lot of people believe that being a successful financial advisoris all about the money. However, after meeting with 500 of the bestindependent financial professionals in the country, this isn’ttrue. In each of the conversations I had, the focus wasn’t money,but was instead about hiring and empowering amazing employees,bringing more value to clients and prospects, and building abusiness that makes a lasting impact.

If you want to make money, you need to focus on the thingsbeyond the money.

2. Surround yourself with other successfulpeople

The most successful financial professionals are also the ones wholove to learn from others. They’re eager to connect withinteresting and successful people and pick their brain. They wantto be a part of a successful group of people who have commoninterests and enjoy seeing others succeed.

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Many financial professionals in the group were part of a smallgroup, or “mastermind” group, where they get together 2-3 times ayear to share what they are doing. They know they’ll be moresuccessful if they rub elbows with other success-minded people.

3. Always be grateful

Successful financial professionals are constantly thankful fortheir peers, partners, family, and friends. A common theme I pickedup on was the fact that I heard the words “thank you” at least 100times during my stay in Salt Lake City. Everyone from a fellowfinancial professional to the hotel staff received a hearty thankyou from the top independent professionals.

Gratitude was so prevalent during the conference that I wrote anote in my phone, “always thank others and show yourappreciations.” Successful financial professionals aren’t selfish,but instead recognize everyone who has and are continuing tohelping them along their journey.

4. Keep a positive outlook

The professionals who attended the conference all sincerely lookedforward to the future.

Everyone I met was looking forward to their future endeavors andexcited about them. Despite the disruptions, and industrychanges they were facing, they were eager to tackle challenges andconfident that their business would have a very positive future.

The best professionals in the country were hungry forknowledge, and they were constantly finding ways to improve.(Photo: Thinkstock)

5. Become a student of thegame

The top financial professionals that I met with lovedself-improvement and consistent personal growth. They all couldn’twait to learn new skills that would help them in life as well as inbusiness. The best professionals in the country were hungry forknowledge, and they were constantly finding ways to improve.

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In fact, the conversations among attendees were often dominatedwith advice on what books to read, podcasts to listen to, andevents to attend. I wrote many recommendations down as I was eagerto gain the same education that they were raving about.

6. Learn to love teaching

The top professionals I spoke with all loved to learn, yes, buteven more than that, they loved to teach. They were happy to giveback and help others with what has worked for them. It’scommonplace for successful people to hold their cards close totheir chests, but not among these professionals. Instead, they werepassionate about sharing the tips and strategies that they’ve foundto work for them in their practices.

One advisor told me that the true level of success isn’t whatyou do in life, but is rather measured by how many people you’reable to help find their own success. I loved this.

7. Always think big

From my experience, the goals that these financial professionalsset for themselves are far beyond the normal standard for success.Most of them are trying to make a 10X improvement in theirbusiness, rather than a 10% incremental change.

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For example, one of the advisors I met with has doubled hisbusiness every year for the last 4 years. And guess what? Heplans to double again this year. This mindset gives them theability to build a scalable organization that’s poised forsuccess.

Shawn Sparks is the author of the“The Advisor Breakthrough.” Email him at [email protected].