Do Business. Do Life. — The Financial Advisor Podcast — DBDL

091: Ian Cron - The Fix: How Hidden Addictions Keep Financial Advisors Stuck

Nov 20, 2024

Ian Cron, author and expert on the Enneagram and addiction recovery, discusses the often-overlooked hidden addictions that financial advisors face. He shares insights about how behaviors like overworking and people-pleasing can be as damaging as traditional addictions. Ian introduces a 12-step framework for balance and personal growth, emphasizing self-reflection and accountability. The conversation also touches on the addictive nature of technology and the importance of community in recovery, all while promoting a more intentional and fulfilling life.

01:07:29

Episode guests

Ian Cron

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Hidden addictions, such as workaholism and people-pleasing, often complicate the lives of financial advisors despite outward appearances of success.

The 12-step program can be an effective tool for anyone struggling with addiction-like behaviors, fostering self-reflection and personal growth.

Incorporating meditation into daily practices enhances emotional balance, aiding individuals in managing life's challenges and promoting mindfulness.

Deep dives

Understanding Addiction and Its Causes

All addictions are essentially attempts to use external solutions to address internal problems. Many entrepreneurs work long hours claiming to provide for their families, but their loved ones often yearn for their presence at home instead of their financial contributions. Real happiness, peace, and fulfillment come from within, not from external achievements or substances. The 12-step program provides a vital framework for identifying and altering these compulsive behaviors, encouraging a focus on internal well-being to ultimately lead a fulfilling life.

Intro

3min

Understanding Hidden Addictions

17min

The 12 Steps to Balance and Fulfillment

15min

The Power of Personal Inventory

13min

Embracing the 12 Steps: A Journey to Transformation

9min

Tech Addiction: Understanding the Modern Trap

4min

Reflections on Growth and Community

7min

In nearly two decades of working with some of the world’s top independent financial advisors, I’ve seen all kinds of hidden addictions—and, honestly, I’ve been guilty of a few myself. From the outside, it might look like everyone has it all together: polished, successful, in control. But beneath the surface, even the most disciplined and high-achieving people in this business are dealing with struggles we rarely acknowledge.

And it's not always the obvious issues society labels as “addictions.” Oftentimes they’re subtle, often invisible patterns we fall into—patterns that can damage relationships, compromise health, and eventually eat away at our peace of mind.

That’s why I wanted to invite Ian Cron on the show. He’s releasing a new book, The Fix, which takes a fresh and deeply compassionate look at these hidden habits.

Ian points out that while most people think of addiction in terms of substances like drugs or alcohol, there’s a whole spectrum of “quick fixes” that quietly complicate our lives—things like overworking, people-pleasing, or constantly chasing achievement. These behaviors might not leave bottles stashed in desk drawers, but they can be just as damaging.

Ian shares practical principles from his book that go beyond traditional ideas of addiction, offering guidance for anyone who wants to reclaim control, set healthier boundaries, and live a more intentional life.

3 of the biggest insights from Ian Cron …

1.) How to recognize hidden addictions—and why no one is immune

Addiction isn’t always obvious. Ian breaks down how even the most successful people can fall into patterns of overwork, people-pleasing, or constantly chasing success. Learn how to identify these hidden habits and take the first step toward breaking free.

2.) The growing grip of technology addiction—on us and our kids

From endless scrolling to digital distractions, technology has quietly become one of the most pervasive addictions. Ian shares insights into how it affects not just adults but our children, and how to reclaim our focus and connection in a hyper-digital world.

3.) A fresh, practical take on the 12-Steps for everyone

Ian modernizes the timeless principles of the 12 Steps for recovery, making them accessible for anyone—not just those battling substance abuse. Discover how these steps can help you build healthier boundaries, reconnect with what matters, and create lasting change in your life.

SHOW NOTES

https://bradleyjohnson.com/91

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF "THE FIX"

Go grab a copy of Ian’s book, The Fix: How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation For the Well-adjusted, the Down-and-Out, and Everyone in Between. It officially comes out in January, but if you pre-order you’ll get immediate access to the first chapter.

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