Take Time to Reflect and Be Appreciative of the Distinction You Have Achieved

As the year winds down and Thanksgiving draws near here in the United States (the reason this post is a bit early this week), it is essential to reflect on all the things you are grateful for -- both personally and professionally.

We get so caught up in our day-to-day tasks, sometimes we forget what really makes us distinctive. Take some time during this Thanksgiving break to be sincerely appreciative for your accomplishments, reflect on how far you've come, and be proud of what you have achieved!

As we frequently discuss, it's critical to have meaningful differentiation from your competition in today's business world.

However, this adversarial situation with others should never mean that we focus so intently on our rivals that we fail to be introspective enough about our efforts and achievements.

Gratitude is the foundation of growth. Oftentimes, our gratitude for what we already have enables us to find the time and energy to seize new opportunities.?

A few years ago, I related how my mentor, the late Grady Nutt, wrote a significant work on "Thanks-Living." In other words, it’s not merely taking a day to overeat and watch football -- instead, it means living the message of the holiday of Thanksgiving on every day.

This approach of "Thanks-Living" doesn't mean you have become completely content with your surroundings. It simply means that "Thanks-Living" is a necessary step towards further growth and development as an individual or business.?

If you aren't grateful, the chances are high that you've become complacent. And if you're not growing individually and professionally, then you're not living up to your full potential!

Over the years, as I've interviewed and developed friendships with the most successful people in the world, I've learned they are grateful for their triumphs -- and they learn from their failures. Iconic professionals understand that sometimes mistakes can be a blessing in disguise because they give us perspective on what we did wrong and why it's essential that we continue to work hard and be persistent.

As you move to finish another business year next month, don't simply look at what was -- think about what could be!?

I will bet that you've already accomplished a great deal in this past year, despite the challenges of the pandemic, the Great Resignation, inflation, and more. Reflect on your successes and learn from the areas where you fell short so that next time around, YOU can stand out from your competition.

Don't get caught up in the typical "end-of-year rush" everyone else seems to be experiencing.?

Instead, make some time to embrace this season of Thanksgiving -- and "Thanks-Living" -- and begin to look forward to what you'll achieve next year!