6. Surprising Lessons from Costa Rica

Episode Highlights:
📍 Feeling out of alignment or overwhelmed? In this episode, host Tiffany shares transformative lessons from her recent travels, personal growth journey, and business changes. Discover the power of putting yourself first, stepping into alignment, and investing in your energy, time, and money to live a more fulfilling and peaceful life.

Topics include:

• The importance of taking space for yourself in business and personal life.
• Lessons from Costa Rica: finding balance, alignment, and releasing old patterns.
• Navigating business changes, including scrapping frameworks and embracing intuition.
• Realigning priorities to pour from an overflowing cup rather than an empty one.
• How investing in yourself leads to shifts in your business, family, and overall energy.

Takeaways:

1. Invest in Yourself: Whether it’s time, energy, or money, prioritize your personal growth to unlock new opportunities.
2. Find Your Alignment: Release what no longer serves you and create space for what feels right.
3. Balance Business & Intuition: Shift from rigid frameworks to an intuitive, aligned approach in life and work.
4. Overflow, Don’t Deplete: Focus on self-care to better serve your family, clients, and yourself.
5. Gratitude in Chaos: Learn to embrace and appreciate the small, sweet moments in the midst of life’s craziness.

Resources Mentioned:
📧 Email Tiffany: tiffany@energeticcfo.com
🌐 Website: Energetic CFO

Love the Show?
💬 Share your thoughts: What changes are you making to put yourself first? Email Tiffany or leave a comment!
📤 Share this episode with someone who could use a reminder to invest in themselves.
⭐ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review.

Next Episode:
We’ll see what feels right! Tiffany is embracing flow and alignment, so tune in for an organic, unscripted conversation.

📍 Small Steps, Big Rewards – Take the leap and invest in yourself. Your future self will thank you!

Transcript

0:01

Welcome to the energetic CFO podcast, where we empower you to take control of your financial future. I'm your host, Tiffany, an advocate for financial literacy and business success. In this podcast, we'll explore a wide range of financial topics from money mindset and budgeting to building wealth and achieving financial freedom. We'll break down complex financial concepts into simple, actionable steps so you can apply them in your own life. Whether you're a new entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this podcast is for you. Join me as we dive into the world of finance and discover the tools and strategies to help you achieve your financial goals. Let's get started! Welcome back to the Energetic CFO Podcast. I am so happy to be here. I basically took a month off with the holidays, my husband and I decided to do a little mom and dad trip to get away from the kids for a few days. And I mean, really, it was an opportunity to just sleep and sit for a little bit and like watch some TV or he played some video games, but just a chance to like. have a minute without someone asking for something. Like it was not, we, we, yeah, it was not anything crazy. We got a cabin up in the mountains, which hilariously we have a cabin in the mountains and could have stayed there. But for some reason we went somewhere else, which was fine. So we, I mean, the reason we didn't stay in our cabin was, it's an Airbnb and we wanted to keep it open for bookings and no one actually booked for the time we were up there. So kind of hilarious, but. It was good. It was good to get away and have some downtime. And then we came home and got into the holiday shenanigans. We did Christmas Eve at church and then like a live nativity and then had Christmas at our house and all the family came to visit. So it was about eight hours of constant in and out visitors, which was fun, but also like trying to keep the toy situation under control was very chaotic. But it was good. We, in the past, we have traveled from house to house and it was nice to just stay put and let the kids play and destroy our house. And then the day after Christmas we had a gender reveal for a little one. So we officially know that we were having our third boy and we're so excited, ready for all the boy energy. I told Eric the other day, if we get any more pets, like they have to be girls because I, yeah, I need some, some female support in this house because they're just all boys. And I've also realized that I am forever going to be fighting a toilet seat up in the main house. Like, in my bathroom, Eric's very respectful. But, yeah, we're going to be fighting that for a long time, I feel like. And we're also not fighting that battle right now because we're just happy that the pee's going in the toilet. Can't believe that's a small one, but yeah, we're taking it. So we had our gender reveal and then we had our son's fourth birthday. So we took him to the aquarium with some friends and had a great time. And then the day after that was his birthday party at the trampoline park. And it was so much fun and so worth the money to just have someone else plan it and do everything and clean up. It was so nice, but I wound up getting a stomach bug and like threw up at his birthday party. So the plan was all along to, that I would leave early to bring our youngest son home for his nap and dad would stay with our oldest and let him just, you know, jump till he fell over basically, which is pretty much what happened, but, they came home and I talked to him for a little bit and then Just kept getting chills and just was not feeling good. So Eric looked at me and he's like, you need to go lay down. Like you have to quarantine. We can't have you getting the kids sick and me sick. So I was in bed. It was probably eight hours that I was like really sick, and started to get better, but I stayed back for a total of three days. So that I wouldn't pass it on to them. And it was such a gift. And, you know, I realized as parents, sometimes, I don't know about you, but we've joked like, I kind of want to get arrested so that I could have a vacation and just sit in jail, which obviously we don't want to get arrested over here, but the thought that like, you know, being admitted to the hospital is a vacation because you know, you can't function, we're trying to shift that and take the rest when we really need it, instead of. You know, needing a stomach bug that puts you down for three days. But the last two days, like I started really feeling better, but didn't want to risk getting anyone else sick. So I just stayed in the room and I basically laid in bed for two days and definitely needed the extra recovery time. But also it was just so nice to just focus on myself and not worry about anyone else. I mean, I did, they went to Burger King, so I did come out and like help clean up the house a little bit. But that was all I did. So that was a couple of days and then had a few days with the boys. And then I left for 12 days between Costa Rica and Austin. And a lot, a lot changed for me in those two weeks. And I've thought a lot about this podcast and my business and I've been trying to follow what the experts say in regards to podcasting and business and following frameworks and doing things the way you quote unquote should do it in order to Help people and convert and like all the business stuff. And I just realized like, it doesn't align. I recorded two extra episodes. So I wouldn't have to come straight back into it and record. And I'm tossing them because it just doesn't feel right following this framework. So this episode I'm going to be just off script and kind of share what happened over the last couple weeks. And really the last month. And then I'm trying on some new things as I continue. But I, I don't want to follow the frameworks exactly. I want to do this in a way that feels right for me. And I think it'll resonate with you, the listener more as well. So yeah, I mean, that's, I'm kind of blowing up a lot of things in my business and putting a new riverbanks and like support for myself so that I don't get to the point where I feel like I have to go sit in a cabin for four days. I mean, I, I struggle with sleep, especially in pregnancy, and I realized my nervous system was just so out of whack. And I, I'm constantly on edge listening for a kid to wake up in the middle of the night. And that leads me to not sleep great, which then makes it hard for me to be productive during the day. And I just, my energy is just drained. So having all this time away from my kids and family and just getting out of my normal element really helped me reset and kind of find who I am again. So I flew to Costa Rica. It was, you know, uneventful travels, getting there, connecting with our driver was a little bit of a struggle, but we made it, made it to the house and like just started the retreat with a beach meditation and It was the whole retreat was so interesting because it was intended to be a business retreat and planning out your year it started january 2nd. So it was perfect with the new year and The idea was that we would come back with a full strategy for our 2025. And I did, but not in the way I expected. I, yeah, we did a lot of healing. A lot of like finding our center and our ourselves and a lot of releasing. And it was, it was done in such a way that was so impactful and different from what I've done in the past. And I just felt like I was able to release a lot of pent up emotion and realizing that I have been pouring from an empty cup probably my entire adult life and taking all of this time, it was a long time away. I, the last time I've been this, like away from home for this long was in my master's program for a capstone travel, we went to South Africa, but I didn't have kids. So I just left my dog. So it was just so different and it was, it was difficult. I mean, my kiddos, I missed them. They missed me. They struggled a little bit, but dad held down the fort and did a great job. And I knew he would, I had no concern about him being capable of doing it, but it, yeah, it was, it was tough. And like they would, we would send Marco polos or we'd get on video chat and they missed me and I could tell. And I mean, at the age we're at two and four, like it's such a physical game. And like, I couldn't give them that physical support. So it, it was hard, but it was so worth it for myself and what I needed. So we, I mean, we released, we called in, like we did all this energy woo woo stuff and we did talk business. I would say maybe 5 percent of the time we were actively working in the retreat was about business. And it was enough to just give me the frameworks, which I'm like anti frameworks right now, but it was the riverbanks. It was exactly what I needed to help me plan my year. And in essence, we had homework from it. And I was able to, on the flight to Austin for the second part of my trip to plan my entire year. I didn't plan Q4 because I basically Q3 will be going on maternity leave. And I don't know what that's going to look like. Is it going to be a full three months? Is it going to be two weeks? I have no clue. I'm just going to go with what feels right for me. But I'm planning for three months just to make sure that I'm, you know, taking the time that I need and want to be with my baby and my two other kiddos. So, I planned Q1 and Q2, and it was hilarious because I went into this with a plan to launch a course. And after going through all of it, I realized the course just doesn't align with what I want to do right now. So I am launching one to one packages that are three month containers to help business owners or really individuals, but mostly business owners outline what they need financially. So it's going to be pretty like customized to the individual, but helping them really empower them to know their business. and what they need from a financial perspective so that they're not relying on somebody else. And my intention is not to necessarily say they don't need a CFO or that financial support, but my intention is to empower them to know the questions to ask of their team. And yeah, I, it feels so aligned and I'm so excited. And I'm planning also for Q2 to launch a in person retreat. At our mountain cabins, and I'm so excited about that, we're going to go through all the levels of financial freedom and I'm going to help people find their number and where they're at and how much, you know, compare how much they're making to where they want to be. And we're going to build personal balance sheets or net worth calculators so we can get a clear picture of where people stand and then help them create a plan to get to that next level. So if that means cleaning up debt, we'll create a debt management plan for that individual. But the group will have the opportunity to learn together. So if it's cashflow management, we'll create that plan. If it's an investment strategy, we can talk through that. So it's really going to be customized again to the individuals, but we're going to have a couple of days together in person to deep dive into this and really take control of our finances. And I'm so, so excited for it. So that's my, that's my plan right now. And it feels so aligned. And then Q4, I just have open for whatever comes. I mean, a lot changes during maternity leave and postpartum. And I know that. So I'm just creating space and leaving it open for whatever comes. And that feels so good. But in Costa Rica, we had so much fun. It was the perfect balance of work and play. The group went horseback riding, which I did not partake in being pregnant, but it was so nice because I just got to sit by this gorgeous pool in Costa Rica by myself and I meditated a little bit. I journaled. I just had some downtime to really reflect. And it was just such a beautiful space that I wouldn't have had, had I gone horseback riding, which would have been awesome too. But, we went on what we thought was going to be a like nature hike to a waterfall. And it turns out that is not what we were doing. We were told it was going to be 30 minutes. So we're thinking, okay, a pretty easy hike. It was two hours away from our Airbnb. So the plan was to mastermind in the car and do the business stuff while we were driving. And that worked beautifully. But we, we get there and like, we're all like, Hey, let's take our journals and we can like reflect by the waterfall. It'll be so beautiful. And they're like, no, don't bring anything. You can bring your phone and sunglasses and car keys. And that's it. You don't need bug spray. You don't need sunscreen. You're good. And we're like, okay, like we're going in the jungle. We don't need bug spray. Like that seems weird, but we start this hike and we cross a river. And I remember thinking, Oh no, my shoes are going to get wet. And when I say across the river, it was like waist high. There was a rope across. Being pregnant, the guides were super attentive and helping me. But our group was, it was hilarious. We have a woman with a heart condition and her service dog, who's a Great Dane, who can't swim. Like, he failed swim lessons. They told him, you're never gonna swim. Like, you suck at this. We had a couple 60 year olds. We had a woman who twisted her ankle a few days prior. We had two kiddos, well three kiddos. We had a one year old, a seven year old, and a 13 year old. And a couple, yeah, and a, a guy who was fully capable. So like we basically had one person who was, Like, fully functioning, I guess. I mean, not to say the rest of us weren't fully functioning, but he was very fit, military, you know. So it was just comical, our ragtag group. So we crossed this river and it's water off of a volcano. So it just has this like beautiful color to it. It's hard to explain and we, yeah, we cross and we're like up to our waist and it's just like, oh, okay, like we're doing this. And then we cross again and And, like, we're climbing up ladders, which, like, the Great Dane had to take a couple different routes around because it's not like you can exactly pick up a Great Dane and help him up. So, I mean, they didn't even, they didn't bring a baby carrier because they told us, like, we didn't need it. So, we're on this hike, and it's just beautiful. Like, we're in the jungle, there's rocks everywhere, we saw bats I think that's really the only wildlife we really saw, but, like, we got to see rubber trees, and there, there were these trees that, like, the bark was very thin, and the natives would use it as a band aid, which was so cool, just to see how nature could provide so we get up around and we have to straight up swim to get around this rock to the next part. And the Great Dane did it. Like, it was so fun to watch him. He just figured it out and he swam. And as we're coming out, one of my friends goes to help the Great Dane because he was kind of slipping on the rocks. And then she fell. And she realized, like, she has to focus on herself first and not And we all had that lesson in this hike was focusing on ourselves first. And me, like being pregnant and just center of gravity is kind of weird. I, yeah, I, I asked for help when I need it. I received the help when it was offered. I slowed down. I mean, there were times I was scooting on my butt coming down some of these Ladders and things because I just didn't want to lose my footing and I took as much time as I wanted which I realized like I'm always in a rush to not take up too much space and get out of the way of other people and And that that comes in with money as well Like I don't want to spend money on myself when it could be used for somebody else. So we Continue on and we get to where the waterfall is and we find out later that they had just reopened That part because the water was flowing so fast that they have to close it down for a couple months a year So we're like standing in this water It's waist high and we just see a rope and you get on the rope and just pull like you're pulling yourself through the water and I'm like already feeling a little uneasy about it because the water is flowing pretty fast And my friend comes up and says, Hey, like they've said it's rapids up here. And part of the issue is a lot of them were speaking in Spanish. So I wasn't fully understanding what was happening. So they decided the great Dane wasn't going and the baby wasn't going. And she's like, it's totally up to you. It's your call. But you know, they said there's rapids. Is it something, a risk you want to take? And as soon as she said rapids, I knew I was like, I'm, I'm good. I do not need to prove this to myself. Like, I'm good. The fact that I'm at this point is sufficient. Also, side note, she wore flip flops and those got lost or broken. So she's barefoot out in the jungle, which is just another, you know, add to the hilarity of the situation. So I decided I'm not going and was so at peace with that decision because I just knew, like, I did not need to prove to myself that I could get to this waterfall. So the group goes, I wind up staying back with the baby and the dog. The dog is just exhausted. He's nine years old. He's, he's an old man and he was just excited to have some rest. So he climbed up like in a cave and was sleeping and I decided I'm gonna stay back with the baby so everyone else can go experience this. And I'm so glad like it was such a gift to be able to give that to them. And I had such a gift in realizing that I love boys. Like, I was made to be a boy mom, and I knew exactly what to do with him. Like, we just touched the rock, and we played in the dirt, and he tried to feed me a stick. So, it was so beautiful, and just being in this nature, and this part of the world that not many people get to see, was just so magical. So, I found out later, the girls had to be pulled through by the guides. The rapids were just too strong. And after you get through the rapids, you have to like climb over a rock, and there's no way I could have done that with a pregnant belly. So, the waterfall itself was stunning. Seeing the pictures and videos was really neat. And it's something I want to go back and experience later in the year when it's not as hot. I was crazy because the pictures we saw online were people just like walking through it. And it's like, Oh, that is not what we saw. So it was, there were just so many lessons and how things played out. We had the most stunning sunsets that lasted way longer than it seemed like they should have. And there was just so much beauty out there. And I think it was just slowing down enough to really appreciate it. And I just, I think in my past I would have been like really upset that I didn't get to go horseback riding and I didn't get to go to the end of the waterfall, but I realized like it was such a blessing that I got to do everything up to that and I got the special time with this sweet little one year old boy and it filled my cup because I missed my kiddos and made me so excited for her. Having another baby and the opportunities that come with that and it was just it was magical. So We yeah, I mean that was it was magical. So we get done we go get lunch a lot of the women didn't eat breakfast. I Intuitively knew that I needed to shove a bunch of food in my mouth, even though I wasn't hungry that morning So fortunately I had eaten because you know being pregnant it would have been really difficult So we ate lunch at like three o'clock and it was so good. Like little small hole in the wall, Costa Rican food. And then. We drove back, got stuck in traffic. I did my mastermind hot seat, which was awkward and painful and wonderful and so helpful. And yeah, so then we get back, we're all exhausted. And that was kind of the wind down of the trip. But I, I like, I don't have words for how magical it was. And I think so much of it was just taking the space for myself. So we wrap up Costa Rica. I had a very early flight, so I called it an early night the last night, got to the airport, flew to Austin for a second retreat for my mastermind group, and that was so magical too. I mean, we, we did a sound bath with the crystal singing bowls and that was fantastic. I, yeah, went, went on a journey in that moment. We had our hot seats for the mastermind and I was able to get a lot of information about what people are looking for from a financial perspective in their business. And that was very helpful and had a lot of great conversations with women who want to connect and get the support financially in their business. So there's a, there's a strong chance my one to ones are going to fill up. in the next couple of weeks, which feels so exciting. So if that is something you're interested in talking more with me about, please reach out because the slots are going to fill up very fast. I obviously have a timeline of when I can take these in because of maternity leave and want to make sure that I'm giving the support that people want and need and are paying for. So if that sounds of interest to have a deep dive with someone who really knows finance just shoot me an email. Tiffany at energetic CFO. com and we can chat and see if it's something that works for you. Also, I'm going to set up a wait list for the retreat. So if that sounds of interest to you, let me know. But it was, I've, I don't think I've ever spent that much time 12 days. With women primarily. I mean, there were men around, but for the most part, it was all women. And just the energy of that coming from a house with three boys including Eric right now, three boys. It was it was so nice to be in that feminine energy for so long. So the lessons that I really took from this is to take up space for myself, time wise, energy wise, money wise. I mean, going into this financially, we have not been in a spot to where it makes sense for me to invest this much money into my personal growth and myself. But I knew I had to do it for me to grow and for me to be the person I want to be. And I am not the same person I was a month ago. And it's because of this investment in myself. And I just want to challenge you. Is there something that you feel like would really help you move the needle in your life or your business or really any aspect of life that you're holding back from because you're scared to take up that space and take the resource from somewhere else? I mean, it's really, we try to have an abundant mindset, but it's, At times can be hard, especially when you see, oh, I could do this or I could invest in this other thing, or, you know, doing this is going to lead to some debt, but I can tell you, had I not invested in myself, I would not be in the position to make the money that I'm like projected to make. And it doesn't always make sense logically, but I just know intuitively this is what I'm meant to do. So that's a big lesson. I'm realizing I, I have put everyone else's needs before my own. And that's my kids, my husband, my pets, my, parents and in laws and clients. I mean, it's all over the place and I'm taking that back and pouring from an overflowing cup instead of pouring from an empty cup and it feels so much better because I'm not depleted and I'm realizing I have to have a morning routine and an evening routine to just wind down and take the time for myself. So I'm making sure that that's happening. And there are times that I hear the kids screaming and want to go help my husband, but I have to help myself first, you know, the oxygen mask on yourself first. And that's what I'm doing. And I feel so much better about it. So for example, like last night I was not feeling great. So I went and sat down and meditated and really tried to tap into why I was not feeling aligned and uncovered it was something in the business. But as I was in this meditation, I thought I heard my son, but also my husband was, you know, in the living room, so he could help him. This was after bedtime, and he apparently sent me a text. I didn't see it. And then I heard him come in to the room and stand there for a second, and then he left. And I just stayed in my meditation. And later found out that my oldest was upset. He, he got overtired and just like could not wind down and he really wanted me. And I think a lot of it's because I've been gone, but he just wanted mom, but I was taking care of myself. And I think in the past I probably would have come out of the meditation and gone to take care of him. And yes, it was harder for my husband to get him where he needed to be and calm down. But he did it and I was able to take care of myself. And then this morning I was able to get up with my son. He was melting down about some silly stuff and we were able to get him calm and then watch one of those really weird kid shows where it's just like a kid and her dad. Like, playing with toys. I don't know. It's so weird. I'm not here for it. But, we watched that this morning and he was so calm. Until he wanted pancakes. Like, right then. And I was cooking them. And like, I can't make them cook faster. I know you're hangry, but we're doing our best over here. But, I, I, taking that time for myself was so important. And, whether it's money or energy or, time, I am putting myself first. And, it's a stretch because it's not something I'm familiar with. But the more I do it the more comfortable I get and my husband's comfortable and supportive and I'm realizing that I project stuff onto him That's not his true emotions. And this is an episode for another day but guys are really simple and I think as women we complicate it and project our stuff onto them and really They need like the four main things to survive, like food, water, air, and sex. And that's all they need. That's not all they need. But, it's, it just has been such an alignment. I'm in such a good spot energetically and putting myself first has been a key part of that. So I just would challenge you, like where are you putting others before yourself and where can you put yourself first? And I mean, it's, yeah, it's a stretch, but it feels so much, I feel more of myself and I read somewhere like the masks behind the masks are coming off and that feels so right because I have been wearing masks my whole life. To fit what other people wanted me to do and be, and that's no more. I am all in on who I want to be and who I need to show up as. And if that means that people are no longer in my life that have been in my life for a long time, then that's what it is. But it's more important to me to be me. And even with this podcast, I am, it's going to look different than what it has been for the past seven episodes, which, I mean, it's not like we're very far into this, but. I'm gonna do this in a way that feels right. So I don't know what next week's episode will be. I'm gonna just see what feels right over the next week. I had no clue what I was recording for this episode. I knew I wanted to share about my travels and what I learned, but I'm just letting it happen more organically. And even in the business, letting things happen more organically. And it just feels so good. So much better and aligned and flowy in a way that I have not really experienced life. So if you've made it this far, thank you for listening and hanging out. And hopefully you can take some of my lessons and apply them in your life and take that leap and invest the money, the time, the energy, whatever it is in yourself. Because at the end of the day, money is absolutely a part of our life and our reality, but it is just a tool and it's an exchange of energy. And If you can maintain and find your energy and hold that and fill, fill your cup up and give from overflowing instead of from empty, things will just shift. I mean, I've seen my marriage change almost overnight. My kids are calmer, like everything is more at peace. Now my kids still fight and that crazy, but it's, it's my perspective. We have the crazy moments and then when they're calm and sweet and being funny. I soak that up as much as I can. So it's not just feeling like constant chaos. I'm not turning to my phone to numb out when they are calm. I'm like really sitting in it and enjoying them. And that has been such a huge shift. So I will leave you with that and we'll see what comes of the next episode and where this goes. But thank you so much for listening. If you have any questions or thoughts or feedback, please send me an email. Tiffany at energetic CFO dot com. I also am not going to be doing a download file for each episode. It was just too much. I was putting too much energy and time and it was stressing me out. So I'm in the process of creating a couple of freebies and downloads for you that I will probably mention in future episodes, but it, yeah, I'm just so excited to streamline the business and make things easier. And focus on providing value in ways that really matter and not focusing as much in having the files for people to download. So love to hear your thoughts on the change in the podcast and just the overall direction. And if there's anything I can do to support you, please definitely reach out. Thanks. Have a great rest of your week. Thanks for joining me on this episode of the Energetic CFO Podcast. Remember, small steps can lead to massive rewards. By taking action, staying disciplined, and seeking knowledge, you can achieve your financial dreams. If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to share, like, and subscribe. And don't forget to leave a comment with your thoughts and questions. Until next time, keep learning, keep growing, and keep thriving.