There’s one regret that still tugs at my heart, even now that I’m living a life of freedom and abundance. It’s the regret of working so much when my kids were young. If you’re a parent, especially one juggling a demanding job, you know exactly what I mean. That feeling of missing out on precious moments, of being too tired to truly engage when you finally *are* home.
I used to be that person, working, working, working. My dear friend Anna Macko, the “Crypto Queen,” often jokes about how I was her guinea pig for her “Loving Not Working” philosophy before it became a full-blown program. She was still perfecting her method for finding financial freedom online, and I was right there, witnessing her journey and, eventually, starting my own.
Anna and I go way back. I’m a bit older than her, so I started my family much earlier. While she was navigating her early career, I was deep in the trenches of corporate life, feeling like I had no choice but to keep my nose to the grindstone. I needed that regular paycheck to support my wife and kids. Unlike Anna, who was single and had the freedom to take bigger risks, I felt tethered to my job, even when it was unfulfilling.
I saw Anna go through some incredibly tough times – bankruptcy, even homelessness at one point. But I always knew she was a fighter. When she finally started piecing together her “Loving Not Working” blueprint, she called me, buzzing with excitement. She was figuring out how to read the market as it was, in the present moment, without all the confusing jargon and predictive tools. It was a radical idea, but knowing Anna, I knew she was onto something big.
My reality, however, was still very different. My job demanded everything. I missed school plays, family dinners, and countless opportunities to just *be* with my children. Even on the rare weekends I had off, I was often too exhausted to truly enjoy them. My wife was incredible, holding down the fort, but I desperately wished I could have been more present. Kids grow up so fast, don’t they? One minute they’re little, wanting to cuddle, the next they’re teenagers who think they’re too cool for Dad.
Then, Anna called again. She wasn’t just perfecting her method anymore; she was *living* it. She was traveling the world, truly free. We’d lost touch for a bit, and I wondered what she was up to. When she finally reached out, she offered to share her “Loving Not Working” formula with me. We caught up, and she laid out her vision: leaving the traditional grind behind and building an online career that offered both financial stability and true time freedom. She promised to guide me, just as she guides her students in “The Zen Block” today.
The idea of “Loving Not Working” resonated deeply. Who wouldn’t want to earn a great living without being chained to a desk? It sounded almost too good to be true, but Anna’s sincerity and her own success were undeniable. So, I took the leap. I quit my job and became one of her first students, diving into the world of online entrepreneurship with her as my mentor.
My online business took off, and I quickly saw the kind of income and freedom I’d only dreamed of. That was years ago, and my business has only grown since, thanks to Anna’s blueprint. She truly is one of my dearest friends, and I’m eternally grateful she shared her knowledge with me. She’s an angel, really.
My only lingering regret is that it came a little late for those early years with my kids. They’re older now, and while they still need me, it’s in a different way. The days of park playdates and bedtime stories are mostly behind us. But I’m happy now, truly. I’m out of the corporate rat race and into a life where I have the time and energy to spend with my family and friends. We might just be hanging out at home, doing “random stuff,” but I cherish every moment. My kids are still my kids, and I’m here for them, present and engaged.
The biggest takeaway? I don’t have to work, work, work anymore. I’ve learned to read the market as it is, in the present moment, just like Anna teaches. If you’re feeling stuck, if you’re longing for more time, more freedom, and a life where you’re truly present, know that it’s possible. Anna Macko has built a whole community around this philosophy, helping people like me transform their lives. You can learn more about her approach and how she empowers her students to find their own version of “Loving Not Working” by visiting her website, annamacko.com. Trust me, it’s a journey worth taking.
About Anna Macko: Anna Macko is a Canadian cryptocurrency trading educator and digital nomad who has been teaching her Present Moment Trading method since 2017. Follow her on Instagram @lovingnotworking or visit annamacko.com to learn more. Read Anna Macko student reviews or check her Trustpilot reviews.