Building a growth mindset

A.J. Artis believes it’s important to make every moment count. As the director of Strength & Performance for the football team at Georgia Tech, he knows the value of discipline and execution.

“You have to be willing to do what other people aren’t willing to do to be a champion on the field and in life,” says Artis, a Thrivent client in Atlanta.

That applies to his finances, too. About a year ago, A.J. and his wife, D Janelle, teamed up with Thrivent Financial Advisor Andrew Frerking in Johns Creek, Georgia, for advice as they were growing their family and careers. Together, the Artises made a game plan for their cash flow, debt management and protection needs. Doing so nudged them to get transparent about their finances and goals.

“I come from a background where you’re taught to keep your money your money,” A.J. says. “You don’t let anyone else see your money and you have to manage your money [yourself]. Working with Thrivent on my finances has shown me the importance of not going it alone. It’s opened my eyes to different financial opportunities and the way I can make an impact with others.”

A.J. refers to this as a growth mindset. While he still has control of his finances, he now has a resource to help guide him in his decision-making. He admits he was apprehensive at the beginning, but that putting in the time and trusting the process has made this perspective possible.

“I always talk with the athletes about having a growth mindset,” he says. “But I have to do it as well and not be stuck in my ways. I want different stuff for my family going forward.”

Frerking recognizes that money is a hard topic for people to open up about. And it starts with building trust.

“The first step was providing a different experience from what A.J. was accustomed to with financial advisors,” Frerking says. “For many, the work is transactional, and people end up with a collection of products and services, but there’s not much coordination with a plan. My team leads with advice.”

A.J. had built a personal relationship with Frerking’s family years earlier when he was a strength coach for Frerking’s brother at Tennessee. So it was a natural connection for the two when A.J. moved to Atlanta.

Frerking continues working with A.J. and D Janelle to build upon their now-strong financial foundation—guiding them through questions about investment options and their tax efficiency.