The Anti-Gratitude List: 7 'Failures' I'm Actually Thankful For This Thanksgiving

Let go of perfection, lean into what was trash so you can fix it.

As 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on my annual tradition of choosing a single word to guide my year. This year's choice: upgrade.?

I set out to elevate every crucial aspect of my life:?

• Faith?
• Family?
• Fitness?
• Finances?

January found me filled with faith and boundless optimism. I was certain this would be my year of transformation. Life had different plans. Instead of the promotion I'd envisioned. I faced what seemed like the ultimate downgrade – a layoff.?

Sometimes, what appears to be a step back creates space for a leap forward. I channeled my energy into my business, fueled by optimism and possibility. I saw this transition as the ultimate upgrade.?

Reality, as it often does, proved more complex. I'm grateful for the opportunity to build my own business. It's a privilege not everyone receives. I won't sugarcoat the experience. Entrepreneurship isn't all champagne toasts and success stories.?

The journey is a mixture of triumphs and setbacks. Your perspective shapes everything. I live by a simple philosophy: "get 1% better each day." This means acknowledging both victories and missteps. I've come to appreciate my failures; they've been my most effective teachers.

Here are 7 failures I am thankful for.

1. Failed Content that Sucked

Content creation is a demanding craft. It requires translating expertise into compelling, educational communications that resonate with your audience. The journey from expert to content creator demands finding your authentic voice. You have to shape your unique perspective. All while mastering the art of sharing knowledge in ways that attract your ideal clients.??

Excellence requires embracing imperfection. The path to creating engaging content starts with accepting that some of your early work will suck. But through consistent practice and dedication, your content will improve.

2. Failed Ads

I ran the first set of ads for my business. While I'd managed countless client campaigns before, being in the driver's seat for my own business felt different. Despite generating significant views, the ads failed to convert into tangible leads.?

This struck a deep chord. The voice of self-doubt crept in: "What kind of marketer can't generate leads from their own ads?" But then perspective kicked in. Marketing is an iterative process of testing, refinement, and retesting.?

The silver lining? I gained crucial insights into which messages truly resonated with my audience. This understanding will be instrumental in shaping and strengthening future marketing initiatives.?

3. Failed Webinars

My first foray into hosting webinars taught me valuable lessons in persistence. Each session had less than ten attendees, The numbers were disappointing. Yet, I chose to see these intimate gatherings as opportunities rather than setbacks.?

The upside? The small audience was an ideal environment to refine my presentation style and hone my pitching skills. Webinars serve as a platform to invite potential clients into your business ecosystem. It's a skill that requires practice to perfect.??

Those early sessions allowed me to streamline my workflow. I was able to identify potential missteps in a low-stakes environment. Hey, it's better to polish these skills with ten attendees than stumble in front of a thousand.?

4. Failed Sales Calls

If there's one crucial skill I wish I'd mastered earlier in my journey, it's sales. The learning curve is an exercise in sales principles and significant mindset shifts. The most challenging part? Growing comfortable with promoting my own services. My early sales calls were really bad.?

The breakthrough came when I reframed my entire approach to sales. I discovered that at its core, sales is a transfer of belief. My role isn't to push services, but rather to guide clients toward informed decisions. This revelation transformed my approach from forceful selling to mutual evaluation. I focus on creating space for both parties to determine if we're the right fit for each other.?

5. Failed Offers

An irresistible offer is necessary for a successful sales call. Something I initially overlooked. I spent countless hours revising service packages. I missed the fundamental element of a strong offer. My early packages reflected what I wanted to sell. The offers did not address what the clients needed.?

The turning point came when I learned to truly listen to my clients. Once I deeply understood their challenges, I gained clarity about the precise problems I could solve.??

This insight led to crafting offers that resonated with clients. It made the sales process more organic and effective.?

6. Failed Client Experiences

In the service industry, client relationships rests on mutual trust and respect. Early on, I made the mistake of taking on clients despite clear signs of misalignment. These decisions proved costly for everyone involved.??

The deliverables met professional standards. The working experience was unsatisfying for both parties.?

This experience crystallized an essential truth. Client compatibility is crucial. It's a principle I now hold firm – all clients must pass the vibe check.?

7. Failed to Give Up

Eight months into my entrepreneurial journey, I've weathered the full spectrum of emotions. There have been moments when I thought "throw the whole business away." The challenges have been real. Wrestling with self-doubt, enduring months without revenue, and pushing myself far beyond familiar territory. It's been tough.??

Yet the growth has been transformative. Sales, once my weakness, is evolving into a core strength. The opportunities have been extraordinary. I've addressed an audience of 25,000 in Kenya and led a workshop at Columbia University. These experiences remind me that building a sustainable business is a marathon, not a sprint. Success isn't a straight line but a series of peaks and valleys. Persistence, I'm learning, is where triumph takes root.?

In this season of Thanksgiving, you choose what you see.??

Life is all about perspective. An attitude of gratitude leads to abundance.?

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S.I.G.H.T.? Seeing is a newsletter for diverse founders. The visionaries who change the world with businesses that choose not to accept the status quo.

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