Wesley Howard Triani is a highly experienced financial planner with over 43 years in the financial services industry. Raised in Lindenhurst, Long Island, Wesley earned the distinction of being the First National Paperboy of the Year and grew up in a community-focused household. His father, a design engineer and school board president, ingrained in him the principles of hard work and perseverance. Wesley graduated from Lindenhurst High School in 1972 and went on to study Food Technology at Farmingdale College before earning a degree in Psychology from SUNY Stony Brook.
Specializing in Social Security and retirement planning, Wesley has held leadership roles such as President of SC Life Underwriters and has been honored with numerous awards, including the prestigious Stegman Award and the Boy Scouts’ Silver Beaver award. Outside of his professional life, Wesley is an avid outdoorsman, musician, and public speaker. His commitment to personal growth is reflected in his spiritual discipline, having read the Bible 28 times, underscoring his dedication to lifelong learning and self-improvement.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day starts early with a morning workout, which sets the tone for productivity. After that, I review my goals—daily, weekly, and monthly. These goals guide my day. I spend my work hours either preparing for or giving seminars on Social Security and retirement planning. I make it productive by sticking to a structured schedule, allowing time for both client consultations and personal development, like reading or songwriting.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life by starting with thorough research and planning. Whether it’s a new presentation for a seminar or a song I’m writing, I focus on gathering as much information or inspiration as possible. From there, I outline the steps needed and execute each one diligently, making sure to adjust when necessary.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The trend of people becoming more engaged in their financial futures excites me. There’s a growing interest in maximizing Social Security benefits, which is an area I’m passionate about. More people are realizing that planning early can drastically improve their retirement years.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Goal setting. Every day, I revisit my goals and break them into actionable tasks. It keeps me focused and ensures I’m making progress in all areas of my life—personal, professional, and spiritual.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell my younger self to be persistent but patient. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and there will be setbacks. But if you stay focused on what’s important and continue working hard, you’ll eventually achieve your goals.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that traditional investing or insurance to secure your financial future is essential to completing your financial goals. However, building a solid plan around maximizing Social Security benefits, paired with frugality and self-reliance, can do wonders. This is what separates me and the plans I create from other financial professionals. I’ve seen this process work repeatedly for many of my clients.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Read. I’m an avid reader. I read one or two books / month on a variety of subjects. I’ve read the Bible 28 times, and that discipline of reading every day has changed my life. It doesn’t have to be the Bible, but finding a source of wisdom and sticking with it consistently is something I believe everyone should do.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I go back to basics. I focus on exercise, reading motivational material, and tackling the hardest tasks first. I also find that being in nature, whether canoeing or birding, helps clear my mind.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Persistence and following up. After a client initially rejects my advice, I don’t give up. I follow up, providing more information to demonstrate why my proposal is in their best interest. This has helped me turn around several decisions and grow my business.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I had a client turn down a plan I was certain was the best for them. Initially, I took it as a personal failure. But I overcame it by not giving up. I kept following up, providing more value and information. Eventually, they changed their mind, which taught me the value of persistence and resilience.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Be honest and consistent. Be persistent in following up on your promises but always keep in mind to do what is in your clients best interest first. That has always been a proven business and personal mindset for me.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use simple project management software like Money Guide Pro to keep track of my goals and tasks. It’s visual and easy to update, so I can see my progress at a glance and adjust when necessary.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. It’s a classic for a reason. The mindset it teaches about persistence, goal-setting, and the power of thought has been invaluable throughout my life.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently enjoyed “Remember The Titans”. It’s a story of overcoming adversity, which resonates with me. The persistence and hard work the characters put in to overcome their adverse challenges are inspiring.
Key learnings
- Persistence is crucial—whether it’s following up with clients or achieving personal goals, never give up.
- Balance in life is key to success. Focusing on spiritual, physical, family, and career goals leads to a more fulfilling life.
- Goal setting and daily reflection on progress are essential habits for long-term productivity.