Gratitude notes for October 2017
- I happened upon a popular trick-or-treating ground during my afternoon run. The neighborhood I was in was so full of life! Kids and adults everywhere, everybody dressed up. It was absolutely delightful to witness everybody having a good time.
- I stumbled upon Good People today and read the first two chapters. This is the kind of material I want to surround myself with. I’m so lucky that these messages fall into my life.
- I’m glad I have family to spend time with and understand the importance of doing so. I won’t have regrets about missing those moments.
- I’m thankful that just “being present” is bringing me actionable ideas for my business. I frequently find myself excited to try something new as a result.
- I’m thankful for warm shirts and sweatpants. Winter weather isn’t going to ruin my outdoor runs!
- I’m thankful that I have friends who feel safe trying new things with me. I’m glad I deserve their trust.
- I’m grateful for all my mentors growing up. They’ve given me a view of the world that gives me control over my own destiny. Not everybody has that privilege.
- I’m thankful for the “except Sundays” condition on 2-hour parking signs.
- I’m happy for the terrible weather today. There’s something about it that makes me feel cozy and “at home”.
- I’m thankful that I get to dance with people who enjoy dancing with me. It’s fantastic how everyone has a little something different to offer.
- I’m grateful that I’m finding my confidence in what used to be the least comfortable BNI meeting for me. I wonder if it’s because I’m becoming friendly/familiar with so many of its members or if I’m growing and recognizing better that I’m safe to be myself.
- The girl behind the counter at the bakery today said she liked the hop in my step. It feels good when my positive energy becomes contagious that way (or reflected, maybe).
- I’m thankful that Handy Luigi showed me Gary Vaynerchuck—his energy and beliefs help me recognized my own.
- I’m thankful that I’m finding time each morning to relax and read a book when I wake up. It’s a great period of time where I’m totally relaxed.
- It’s so much fun being a goofball at dance class. I don’t know who started it, because there’s some other goofballs in there, too!
- I’m grateful that the extent of my hardships stop before harm comes to any of my loved ones. I’m very lucky for that.
- I tried a new dance class and new instructor this morning and really enjoyed it. I’m grateful that I took the leap and tried something new.
- I had a video chat with a positioning expert today and got some wonderful advice on how I might be able to niche farther. It feels so great that I’m able to keep progressing, no matter what I’ve tried yet.
- I’m super thankful for having people in my life that I can truly feel “at home” with. They’re rare, but they’re there.
- I’m thankful for Matt Knox. I’m lucky to have him as a friend and mentor.
- I really enjoyed running in the rain today. The wind was blowing so hard at the beach and I got to imagine myself in Middle Earth. It was great to take in.
- I talked to more than one person today who thinks of their lives in terms of their “why” first. It feels good to connect with others who believe what I believe.
- When I woke up, I hung out and I read for an hour. It was peaceful. I think I should make a habit of that.
- I had a particularly informative meeting this morning which didn’t really sink in till tonight. It gives me new directions I can explore with my business, and I feel lucky that I actually recognized it.
- Really enjoyed my audiobook this afternoon. It’s exciting to look forward to books!
- I’m happy I pushed myself to illustrate little drawings for my articles. It’s just a little something special that makes things more fun for me.
- I’m grateful for the mentors I’ve had. This entrepreneurship thing isn’t always comfortable, but I always find myself reaching. I owe it to a good number of people I’ve had in my life growing up.
- I’m thankful for lunch with Mom today. I like that we talk about things that really matter to us.
- Zumba was great this morning per usual. I’m glad that the class seems to be participating more in the “dance battle” section of class.
- I’m glad I have the discipline to not publish articles I’ve written that don’t actually benefit my audience. On one hand, I feel like I’ve wasted time writing them, but on the other hand, that frustration forces me to search for ways to make something actually useful.
- I really enjoyed my BNI meeting this morning. I feel like I’m making some ripples there, and it’s extremely validating when people have “aha” moments or feel that I was helpful. I had three different people make my day this way today.
- I’m finding myself asking people more questions about their businesses in my everyday life, even people I wouldn’t normally think to ask. It makes life a whole lot more interesting.
- I’m also finding that my gratitude is starting to transite into small gestures like sending emails to thank people I’ve never met before for a feature that I find super helpful on a website. I’m thankful that gratitude is spreading in my life.
- I’m thankful for day-old homemade chili.
- A friend of mine sent me a video about singing last week and I enjoyed my morning singing better (badly, but better). Makes me thankful that I live alone.
- Great Zumba class tonight. I’m amazed how trying less actually makes the dances more enjoyable.
- Even when my cold sales emails today felt like a total drag, I managed to find myself hopeful for some new prospects I’ll reach out to tomorrow. I’m glad I have routines like Zumba that shake me out of my own head in moments like that.
- I’m happy for homemade chili.
- I went to see Catapult: Magic Shadows perform tonight. I went on a recommendation from somebody I know, and it ended up being a really fun experience!
- I got a really strong, sweet public endorsement from a fellow web designer at a BNI this morning. It really caught me off guard and showed me the impact I can have on people just by listening to people and offering them new perspectives.
- I’m grateful that I get to meet with such enthusiastic and purpose-driven people. It makes my own journey that much more exciting to be on.
- I’m thankful that I found warm enough clothes in my closet that running outside didn’t give me frostbite (figuratively speaking—it was like 60 degress, I’m a total wimp).
- I amazed by the amount of useful information I find just by getting “out and about”. I got a better idea of my target audience today and it was also brought to my attention that it’s good to be “a little weird”. I’m going to try to embrace that.
- I really enjoyed a meeting I had this morning. Besides being a great exercise in listening to somebody’s business problems, I found more serendipity in our life experiences.
- I was dreading exercise today, then I remembered that nobody’s making me do it, which somehow makes it ok. I’m thankful that I was able to see outside my own head and genuinely enjoy my run today.
- More often than not, I’m very thankful that I get to pursue the business that actually fulfills me. I’m glad I’m trying something new and working directly with people.
- I had an extraordinarily serendipitous moment today with somebody I’d met a year and a half ago three thousand miles away. I love those small-world moments.
- I’m really glad I say no to things that let me say yes to things I actually want to do.
- I got a kick-butt high from Meatloaf during my run today. I’m glad I can actually enjoy exercise.
- Just by researching potential clients on Linkedin, I’m learning a ton about other businesses and the way people work in their industries. A once-dreaded task is becoming interesting now that I let myself learn from the process.
- The water heater is fixed, and I’m thankful I no longer have to get into a pre-game mindset before showers.
- I got to see the results of my advice take hold in a contact of mine in a really positive way today. It feels good to help people avoid mistakes I’ve already made.
- It’s really nice that I’m able to feel welcome at the ballroom dance community, even when I haven’t been in about two weeks.
- I’m thankful for hot chocolate on chilly days.
- Had a great one-on-one lunch today. It’s nice when you can get in a flow with someone you haven’t spent more than 5 minutes with before.
- I overheard a woman say this to somebody at lunch and wrote it down: “I don’t even know your name, but your smile makes my day.” Hearing her say that brightened my day.
- Zumba was a blast today. I was feeling out some new moves, and my friends behind me were having a good laugh. It was super fun.
- I’ve been getting in the habit of dancing to the radio in the grocery store aisles. Tonight, some of the staff caught me and joined me. It feels fantastic to share good vibes like that and enjoy the people in my everyday life.
- Some days, I’m happy that I’m forced to network for my work. Today was one of those days.
- It was really nice seeing the happy dogs at the beach today. They’re allowed to play there with their owners in the off-season, and they run around like kids.
- Could not be more thankful that my water heater didn’t work today. I had so much fun getting amped up enough to take a cold shower. So much rowdiness and excitement!
- Autumn mornings are magical. They make a responsible sleep schedule rewarding.
- Had a great handful of meetings today. I feel lucky that I’m able to connect with people and find my way by meeting new people.
- I’m reaching the conclusion that the best thing I have to offer people is the warmth of good cheer, and all I have to do is genuinely enjoy myself. I’m thankful for all the smiles I get to see when I myself have a smile on my face.
- I’m thankful for the opportunity to live on my own and pursue my own business. Things couldn’t be much better than they are right now.
- It was raining today and the tide was the highest I’d ever seen it. It was really beautiful out.
- My gym has glass doors you can see through. While I was exercising, I saw a little eskimo-dressed 2-year-old round the corner and land flat on the glass, peering in with glowing eyes. It was adorable and cinematic and unexpected all at once.
- I enjoyed writing this morning. I think I’m finding my voice better. It feels more like “me” as opposed to what I think I’m supposed to be.
- I went to a Zumba event a week early by accident. I’m so happy it was only 10 minutes from home.
- I’m glad my friends aren’t afraid to be straightforward with me. Who’s grown? Me, them, or both?
- I was glad not to network today. I’ve been enjoying it, but this was the first afternoon in a while where I felt I could return to my introverted roots.
- I’m happy that I’m in the habit of opening my shades at dusk; it’s really pretty watching the red sky reflect off the building across the way.
- Had a strong BNI meeting this morning. I’m thankful that I had a better 30-second pitch and that I got to meet a bunch more people.
- I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to chat with somebody today who was “in the weeds” of founderhood and looking for guidance. I felt like I helped them understand the direction they were going in.
- I"m grateful to have people in my life who value their time with me as much as I value my time with them.
- I got to have a one-to-one video chat session with a sales expert for an hour today. I’m thankful that he brought lots of energy and gave great insights into all my networking efforts up to this point (that I can act on).
- I had a good time at BNI this morning. I’m starting to notice what gives people their “aha” moments, and I’m thankful that I’m around long enough to see it.
- I was filled with gratitude that I get to dance around in a room full of people at Zumba today, and I was able to drastically extend my “berserk” energy mode during dance today. I was just glowing, and I noticed everybody around me was lifted by it. I think that’s my purpose for dancing.
- I’m super thankful that I’m healthy and am able to focus on my work throughout the day, being able to reflect on my experiences objectively, and adjust for the future. I’d feel very stuck, otherwise.
- I got to point out to the BNI group this morning that they ranked number 1 in the number of jingles and amount of laughter amongst all the groups I’ve been to so far. It felt good, and it was well-received; I think I made them feel good too.
- I’m thankful that people have the courage to be honest, even if it takes some effort. I’m grateful when people take the necessary moments to collect their thoughts and say what they mean.
- I’m super thankful that I had a partner help me with the “Why Discovery Process” again today. I believe we got to the bottom of it by deducing a much simpler and more comprehensible version of my why, for which I need to create an external representation of. It felt like late-night studying in a good way.
- Enjoyed my BNI meeting this morning. It feels good that I’m able to come away from those meetings with at least one follow-up meeting scheduled.
- I totally botched a potential lead this morning, so much so that I found it funny afterwards. I’m glad I’m able to take some things lightly and learn from my mistakes.
- Very helpful learning session via video chat this morning. I confirmed that I, indeed, botched my lead and that my marketing language isn’t misleading. Don’t know what I’d do without the extra perspectives.
- Had a fantastic meeting with a BNI member I’d met on Friday. We talked about lots of possibilities in his field and the pains he was having. I’m glad I’m able to listen to what people have to tell me.
- I’m really thankful for the song With Love by Rachel Portman. Maybe this is weird, but it consistently gives me a good cry during my runs, including today.
- Had a great lunch with somebody I met at BNI. His willingness to come out for lunch makes me more willing to ask others out to meetup. It’s a good feeling.
- Had a great chat with Dad today. I’m so lucky I have him.
- I’m thankful that I’ve grown the fortitude necessary to take a firm stance on what my consultancy does. It’s an invaluable trait to have when others try to impose their views on my life.
- A friend of mine agreed to help me complete Simon Sinek’s “Why Discovery Course”. I’m thankful that I have people who’ll take hours out of their day to help me.
- At the end of Zumba today, I had an existential moment where I was grateful to be alive to and be dancing in a room full of happy people. That thought turned into pure fuel and I ended the session with the best dancing I’ve done in weeks.
- I had another great discussion with Mom about all kinds of things. I’m thankful that we can do that.
- I’m happy that different people are so willing to help me smooth out my how I articulate my business. Frankly, it’d be impossible to do without them.
- I’m feeling better about writing to my audience, having a better understanding of their needs and the questions they have. It just sorta clicked today, which I feel lucky about.