A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RICH THAWLEY
World Financial Group's Rich Thawley doesn't keep a strict schedule or routine. He doesn't get up at a specific hour of the morning or have allotted office time.
And he's worked all his life to make sure it stays that way.
"My days aren't super-structured, and that's part of the dream, too," Rich said.
Years ago, Rich got into the financial services business because he got excited about how much WFG could help people, and he wanted to control his own income. It's a trait that's typical of someone who's always been strikingly independent.
"The flow of my life is different than most people's," Rich said. "I have control of my time. Because of that flow, I have a chance to determine my priorities to a constant flow of faith, family and business."
Rich's wife, Cindy, sets the alarm - if at all. If Rich has been traveling, he'll sleep in a little, owing the added rest to his learning how to better pace himself. During the day, he surrounds himself with people either on the phone or in meetings, communicating with up-and-coming leaders, helping maintain their growth and mentoring them on the balance between work, family and faith.
However, he usually works in golf with his 14-year-old son, Brett, whom Cindy home schools, and he makes sure he finds time for dating Cindy, particularly on Friday evenings.
"My whole life is built around my sweetheart and my children," Rich said. "I'm more disciplined when my wife's around me."
On Sundays, Rich regularly goes to church. During most of the week, Rich is out with field leaders, traveling, interacting with the Executive Headquarters representatives and Chairman's Council members, attending business retreats or welcoming leadership teams from across North America into his home.
Then, it's business - as he determines - all over again the next day.
"The thing that gets me up in the morning is the people," Rich said. "It's that great feeling of the good we do in the marketplace. I believe in these things, and I also believe in the people, our teammates. That's why I get up in the morning - I want to make a contribution."