I didn't know I was Ebeneezer Scrooge. BAH HUMBUG!

Ok. That’s a lie.

I always knew I was a little bit Scroogey.

No, I’m not a filthy-rich stingy miser.

Let’s just say I’m not a Christmas enthusiast.

The songs? They're like nails on a chalkboard to me.

Getting all bundled up? No thanks, I’d rather not dress like a human marshmallow.

And let’s not even get started on the holiday traditions (perfectionist’s nightmare, anyone?).

My usual holiday MO? Plotting my great escape, preferably to a beach in Thailand, far away from any Mariah Carey holiday tunes.

In short: bah-humbug.

But this December, no joke– I was visited by, three ghosts.

The Past

The Ghost of my past showed up in the form of a colleague inviting me to contribute to a book.

In the book “After”, twelve authors, myself included, revisited life after loss.

I went back to that moment of being a 25 year old widow: lost yet wiser, fearful yet hopeful, cautious yet open.

It was clarifying to see my past through a new lens and reconnect to the profound truths that showed up in my life during that time and how they are relevant to my life now.

The Present

The Ghost of the present showed up December 21st.

My mind was swirling with all the ideas and bold new changes for our business and then my brain just hit the brakes.

Hard stop.

I abandoned work, ditched the emails, and found solace completing unfinished art pieces in my old sketchbook from 2007.

Suddenly, every little moment was magnified.

Emotions overtook me daily as I was in a wide eyed place of awareness. – drawing with my son (tears), walking in the forest as a family (more tears), and those quiet coffee mornings with my husband (even more tears).

I was swimming in gratitude for this incredibly rich life.

It was like my mind said “enough” and I completely shut off. I did nothing more to do with work.

The Future

Then, December 31st the ghost of the future showed up.

My mother-in-law, an absolute rock and support in our family, had a stroke.

Having just revisited death and the power of moments in my life, this shook me to my core.

Intellectually, we all know that life can change in an instant.

But do we feel it in our bones? Do we live it?

Like everyone, I already had health goals for the New Year and this event sealed them powerfully.

I know that my future success is not dependent on just more customer sales.

It’s my rested, well-fed, and vital body combined with healthy and energized mindset that will fuel my capacity for greatness.

I am no longer interested in creating a healthy life for myself in 2024, I’m committed to it.

As for grandma, she’s back home now, moving around, taking walks and we're all talking lifestyle changes.

(Any one got recipes for healthy ?ízek aka: Czech Schnitzel?)

The Dance of Time: A Message for Us All

What hit home was this: our lives are an intricate dance of past wisdom, present joy, and future goals.

We need all three.

It’s not just about looking back or planning ahead; it’s about appreciating the now while being informed by our history and guided by our aspirations.

Pre-Loading 2024: Let’s Make It Real

As entrepreneurs, we’re often fixated on the future. But let’s not forget to bring in daily reflections and savor the present. For those who haven’t set your 2024 goals yet, now’s the perfect time. Let’s pre-load the year with clear intentions – not just for our businesses, but for our overall well-being.

Health as a Business Asset: The Real Deal

Our health and mindset are indeed our greatest business assets.

Research backs this up.

Entrepreneurs who prioritize their well-being tend to be more productive, make better decisions, and foster more creative environments. It's about fueling our capacity for greatness, not just with ambition, but with mindfulness and self-care.

So, as we embrace 2024, let’s honor the lessons of our past, revel in the beauty of the present, and actively shape a future that resonates with our deepest aspirations.

Our journey is about more than just business success; it's about crafting a life rich in meaning and joy.

Here's to a year of balanced growth, deep connections, and real success.

And embrace those 'ghost' moments when they come – they might just reveal what's truly important.

P.S. Stay tuned for our guided workshop on pre-loading your 2024 with tangible goals and plans. Let's turn those dreams into realities!

You probably know this already, but I'm?TanyaMFK?and my mission is to help people like you?build your business around an ideal life and not the other way around.

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