Each year since the inception of this podcast in 2017, I have done a Five Unusual Things to Be Thankful For episode during Thanksgiving week.

This episode is never one of my most-downloaded episodes, but it is one of my favorites. It is also one of my most personal and vulnerable episodes each year.

The purpose is two-fold: To get you thinking about the things in your life that you could look at differently – and to show gratitude for those things that maybe didn’t feel so good at the time they were happening.

I like to put it this way: Why is this happening for me? Not to me, but for me – for my benefit. The universe isn’t out to get me…I’m not a victim here.

Here, then, is my 2022 list of unusual things to be thankful for:

5. A great Virtual Assistant (VA). This one’s maybe not so unusual, except that I had previously tried to find a VA with zero success. My VA, Robin, has been a game-changer for my business…and she’s an absolute delight to work with! I am so very thankful for Robin.

My message for you: When we look backward and determine our future based on our past, we are missing the point. If I had decided Robin wouldn’t work out because the others hadn’t, I would have missed out on one of the most beneficial investments I make every month into my business.

Circumstances will be different this time…people will be different this time…YOU will be different this time.

4. When there are no options. In my world of making dozens of decisions every day, it’s nice when there really is no decision to be made…when the path is clear and obvious.

This year, this happened early on when I found out I had to have major surgery at the end of May and wouldn’t be able to walk my dogs for at least six weeks. I was living in an apartment at that time. I really had no option other than to move to a house with a fenced-in backyard.

This also happened back in 2020 when my 12-year-old Honda Odyssey all but stopped working. I took it to my mechanic, who couldn’t find the electrical problem that was causing the battery to drain daily, back doors not to open and close…and don’t even get me started with the haunted interior lights. No option but to purchase a new vehicle.

I’m really good at making decisions and having my own back about those decisions. HOWEVER, it’s nice to know exactly what you need to do.

My message for you: Let easy things be easy. Don’t overcomplicate things. Don’t assume moving or making a major purchase is going to be hard…just maybe, it won’t be.

3. Growing pains. This has been a year of refining my systems and processes to take my business to the next level – along with the mindset needed to see myself differently as my role within the business changes.

Of course, I could have kept on with “business as usual” – nothing wrong with that. Except that’s not how I roll. I want bigger…I want to serve more clients…I want to have more influence in the world. So these growing pains are absolutely necessary – and it won’t be the last time I experience them.

My message for you: Don’t let yourself stagnate. Be brave and willing to experience the growing pains of seeking a promotion, a new job, a new relationship, new friendships…whatever you desire. Don’t expect it to be comfortable or easy or without a few hiccups. Know that the discomfort and difficulties are part of the deal…and that’s okay.

2. Reviving a past interest…and finding it’s still there. In the process of moving, I knew I wanted a new dining table – I’ve always hated the one I had.

I ended up getting a high-quality table from a local thrift store for $75 that needed a lot of love. After putting about that much money into supplies and a lot of time and elbow grease, it is now my pride and joy.

I was coaching a client this week about her job dissatisfaction. I encouraged her to have fun – try some new things, revisit some old things she used to enjoy, be willing to NOT have fun in an effort to have A LOT of fun. This will make her job dissatisfaction have less of an impact on her life.

My message for you: Exactly what I coached my client to do. Have you always wanted to make cheese, or learn salsa dancing, or take a Japanese cooking class? DO IT.

Did you used to love riding your bike, or horseback riding, or painting? DO IT AGAIN.

Step outside your comfort zone. The further, the better.

1. Listening to my gut. I find that my gut is always right. In this incident, I was considering a major purchase for my business. I had an initial sales call that I found difficult to follow…and then the follow-up he promised didn’t happen. Then I got a free trial but couldn’t utilize it. When I reached out to them for help, they never responded. Then I spoke with two people using the software and heard less-than-glowing reviews.

Most recently, I am receiving multiple client referral emails from them every day despite the fact that I am NOT NOR HAVE EVER BEEN THEIR CUSTOMER. It’s taken three contacts to get these to stop.

My message for you: Listen to your gut. If the facts line up with what your gut is telling you, great. If the facts don’t line up with what your gut is telling you, go with your gut. Stop with the rationalizations and accommodations.

This works for people too: If someone is showing you who they are, BELIEVE THEM.

Happy Thanksgiving! Here’s to another year of unusual things to be thankful for.

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#64 - Niek van den Adel over veerkracht (en hij mag het vertellen)