You Will Be Visited By Three Ghosts
“Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business. Charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business.”
Client Experience Spotlight
Idea: Run towards reflection
We work with a wealth advisor who has a long list of VIPs in their client list. I had a chance to speak to a couple of them and we eventually found ourselves talking about why this group of well-known people worked with this advisor. Here’s 2 answers that I heard back to back:
“A couple times a year, she asks me a couple of questions I’m scared to ask myself, and we talk about it.”
“She always asks me why I’m doing something. It’s not adversarial, it’s protective, she understands the pressure I feel to say ‘yes,’ even to things that are not aligned with my purpose.
Legacy In Practice
Idea: Use the Ghosts of Christmas as a tool for reflection
Even if you haven’t read the 1843 version of A Christmas Carol, you likely know the story: Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three ghosts—each holding up a mirror to his life. It’s easy to see how far off course Mr. Scrooge had gone. But what about us?
What would those ghosts show you?
This isn’t a trap question. It’s a worthwhile one—especially in December, when reflection feels most natural. For us. For our clients.
Encourage your clients to take part in this timeless ritual. Their answers can live in the Legacy Vault as a private journal entry, or something they choose to share with family down the line. Here’s how:
The Ghost of Christmas Past: Look back on the joy and people who shaped you.
Who in your past always brought a smile to your face?
What small decision altered your life in a big way?
The Ghost of Christmas Present: See the world around you with a fresh perspective.
Who around me might be silently suffering, and how can I offer comfort?
What complaints of mine might seem trivial if I stepped into someone else’s shoes?
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: Imagine your legacy—before it’s written.
How do I want to be remembered by those closest to me?
Which relationships or opportunities might I regret not nurturing?
What to Say:
"As the year winds down, it’s a valuable moment to pause before the pace of January begins.
One reflection I often suggest—especially for those leading families—is inspired by A Christmas Carol. The three ghosts offer a simple but powerful lens: past, present, and future.
If you’re open to it, I can send a few prompts. You might use them privately, share them with family, or archive them in your Legacy Vault as a meaningful way to close the year—and start the next with clarity."
Content Worth Exploring More
Read: The Lessons of History by Will & Ariel Durant
Why It Matters:
This concise, philosophical book distills centuries of human progress into enduring principles. Like A Christmas Carol, it reminds us that the most important lessons—about power, peace, love, and loss—don’t change. We do.
The Visionary Advisor Podcast
On the Visionary Advisor Podcast, we’ll be diving deeper into timeless lessons this season. If you're looking for something heartwarming, wise, and practical to listen to while wrapping presents or walking off those extra cookies—subscribe and tune in.
