Trusting the Process – What Passing the CFP® Exam Taught Me About Investing
Written by Katrina Ridgeway
If you’ve ever taken on a big challenge- whether it’s running a marathon, starting a business, or raising children- you know that success rarely happens overnight. It requires consistency, discipline, and the ability to push through fear and uncertainty.
Recently, I passed the CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) exam—a milestone that took months of intense study, long nights, early mornings, and moments of deep self-doubt. There were times I wasn’t sure I’d make it. The content was challenging, the process was overwhelming, and I questioned myself more than once. But I stayed committed. I trusted the plan, made small adjustments when necessary, and kept moving forward.
As I reflect on that journey, I realize how similar it is to the experience of investing.
The Noise Is Loud—Silence It
While studying, I had to tune out a lot of noise. The pressure of passing, the fear of failure, and even comparison to others who may have been further along in their journeys. I had to remind myself that my path was mine—and I had to stay focused on my goal.
Investing is no different.
There’s always noise: market volatility, political headlines, economic uncertainty, sensationalist news cycles. It’s easy to get distracted or feel anxious. But successful investing, like achieving any big goal, requires us to stay focused on what we can control—our plan, our discipline, and our long-term mindset.
It’s Okay to Adjust—But Don’t Abandon the Plan
Not everything went according to my original study plan. Some topics were harder than others. I had to slow down, rethink my approach, and utilize different resources. But I never gave up on the goal—I simply adjusted.
Investors can take this same approach. A well-designed financial plan isn’t rigid; it’s flexible. Life changes, markets shift, and sometimes we need to pivot. But that doesn’t mean abandoning our long-term strategy. It means making thoughtful, informed decisions and staying aligned with our goals.
The Right People Make a Difference
One of the biggest reasons I made it through the CFP® journey is I had people around me who believed in me—friends, mentors, study partners, and colleagues who encouraged me when things got tough. I can feel myself smiling as I think of each person & their encouraging words. 😊
In investing, your support system matters just as much. Having a trusted advisor, a solid financial team, and surrounding yourself with people who help you stay focused and grounded, can make all the difference when uncertainty creeps in. You don’t have to do it alone!
Mindset is Everything
There’s one thing I kept coming back to when I felt discouraged: Why I started.
I wanted to grow as a professional, to better serve my clients, and to show up fully in my purpose. That motivation grounded me when things got hard.
The same is true for investing. Your why—whether it's securing a comfortable retirement, building generational wealth, or funding your children’s education—is what will keep you grounded when markets feel shaky or progress seems slow.
Investing isn’t about timing the market perfectly or chasing the next trend. It’s about having a plan, sticking to it through uncertainty, and believing in the long-term vision.
Final Thoughts
We’ve all gone through something challenging and had to push through. That same strength and resilience can apply to investing. It’s not about perfection- it’s about progress, perspective, and partnership.
Trust the process. Because just like passing a hard exam, the reward isn’t just in reaching the finish line - it’s in knowing you stayed the course.
Katrina Ridgeway, CFP®, LPL Financial Advisor
Katrina’s focus is financial planning and education. She is dedicated to helping clients and the community pursue their financial goals and assisting them along their journey to financial freedom.
Benchmark Wealth Management
5855 Ridge Bend Road
Memphis, TN 38120
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPIC.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes.
Investing involves risk including possible loss of principal.
