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What Are You Grateful For?

Nov 12, 2015 | Uncategorized

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
—William Arthur Ward

The holiday season, and Thanksgiving in particular, calls us to pause and look around at the people, places and things we are most grateful for. For me, I am grateful for my family and friends, my health, a successful business that I’m proud to be a partner in, my NAWBO sisters around the country who lift me up and inspire me to grow in ways I never imagined and NAWBO’s diverse and powerful community of supporters who propel us as we speak out on behalf of and support women business owners across the U.S. in all stages of growth. There’s so much to be thankful for.

With gratitude, however, it’s one think to feel it and quite another thing to express it. Showing appreciation can be as simple as saying the two words that pack so much meaning—“thank you”—to doing something thoughtful, like taking someone to lunch or dinner or giving a gift.

As we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving later this month, I’d like to say thank you to everyone who’s been part of NAWBO in ways small and large throughout our 40-year history. This organization would not be what it is today without the amazing women (and men) who are members, chapter leaders, national leaders, national team members, corporate sponsors, affiliate partners, affinity partners and media partners.

I’d also like to encourage you to tap into the “gift” of NAWBO as we move forward together in the months ahead and into 2016. We have so many exciting things planned to give back to this amazing community of women business owners, from free and informative online learning opportunities, to new membership levels and exclusive benefits, to inspiring leadership development and a world-class national conference. NAWBO has truly been a gift in my life, and in my business, as I hope it’s been for you.

So what are some easy ways we can show gratitude this month? Here’s a short list of ideas I thought you’d enjoy:

  • Share a specific example of something someone did for you and how it made a difference in your life or business.
  • Give someone something of yours you think they’ll enjoy and tell them why you’d like them to have it.
  • Invite someone to do something they’ve always wanted to do.
  • Complement someone on a talent, skill or strength you admire.
  • Thank someone for introducing you to a new way of looking at things, even if you don’t necessarily agree.
  • Recognize someone for helping you to step outside your comfort zone and take a risk and tell them how it paid off.
  • Be patient with someone and look them in the eyes, even if you’re in a hurry.
  • Send a handwritten thank-you note to acknowledge someone you value or someone who does amazing work.
  • Ask someone about their life, instead of being all about business.
  • Stay in touch with someone important to you to show gratitude over time; give them the gift of your time.
  • Complement yourself, and write it in a journal or on a sticky note.

What are you most grateful for right now and how do you plan to show it? I’d love to hear from you!

—Crystal Arredondo, NAWBO National Board Chair

 

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