Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is a book that was first published in the winter of 1843 and has been republished countless times since. In addition, there have been numerous enjoyable movies run on this classic story with last year being “The Man Who Invented Christmas.” and most recent being “The Christmas Carol” on the FX network.
The story essentially evokes the bustling street life of the mid-1800’s with its main character being Ebenezer Scrooge who is a man so caught up with himself that he fails to witness what is truly important in life. When anyone around him would wish him a Merry Christmas, he would just arrogantly reply “Bah-Humbug!”
This story will also bring back memories of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future who come to pay Ebenezer Scrooge a visit on Christmas Eve. These ghosts visit him during his slumber and take him on a journey that truly opens his eyes to who he was, who he is and who he can be. This journey even as it was painful for him to witness – actually was a blessing on to himself and others around him. Ebenezer Scrooge finally realized for the things around him to change, that he specifically needed to change. Ebenezer, fortunately, woke up that Christmas morning a changed man with a new outlook on life.
In life and especially in business we sometimes can be moving so fast that we tend not to slow down long enough to witness on how our actions affect all of those around us. We get so caught up that we sometimes fail to see all that we have accomplished and what we can be truly grateful for. Ebenezer was slowed down on purpose that Christmas Eve by the three ghosts to reflect on his own life.
I take this opportunity to reflect on how I am showing up in the world. If we were able to go back and do things differently in the past what would we have done? If we were able to look into the future to see how it all pans out, how would that effect in what we do today? These are questions that we can always ponder. We can’t always relive the past and we can’t necessarily see into the future. However, we can certainly learn from the past and get a better view of how to create a better future.
With this in mind, I have a Holiday gift for you!
I invite you to slow down over the next couple weeks and reflect both backward and forwards. I invite you to take account of how 2019 served your organization, your team, your clients, your community, your family and yourself. I also give you the opportunity to get clear on what you want to create for your future in 2020 and beyond.
For anyone that is interested – email me a request to michaeldill@actioncoach.com and I will forward you a 2019 End of Year Workbook. It’s a great opportunity for you to first look back, in addition to you getting clear on what you want to create in 2020.
Happy Holidays,
Coach Michael