I’m in the thick of my second startup after just a couple years (and like my second child, the newest company wasn’t planned, but has turned out to be a blessing). Last week, in the thick of being a female entrepreneur, a mom of two under six, a wife, and someone whose type-A personality has me focused on the next task rather than the recent accomplishments, I paused. Oddly, I turned to Facebook and challenged myself to post about why I was grateful for seven days. Because I knew making a public statement would keep me accountable. (Enter my type-A personality of wanting to map out the seven posts in advance, edit them and then contemplate strategies for what to do when no one “reacted”, “liked”, or “commented” on my posts. Instead, in a total uncharacteristic fashion, I shot from the hip.)
Some of the people I tagged never reacted. (Confession, I’m sure I’ve been tagged before and failed to react). But that was okay. I did something I neglect to do so very often with my family, myself, my business and my friends. I acknowledged why I was grateful. Taking this time to reflect is something that’s easy to neglect, that we all forget to do, and that often vanishes as time marches on.
So what am I grateful for today? Why am I pausing and sharing?
Today, I’m grateful my husband is my best friend, partner in crime and love of my life. But I don’t tell him enough.
Today, I want him to know I’m grateful to be married to someone who makes me a better person every day; who pushes me, supports me, and loves me even when I’m crazy or emotionally unsettled. There, I did it. It’s so simple, so little, but so neglected.
If you have someone in your life who you love—and it doesn’t have to be a significant other or a spouse—make his or her day by telling that person something you are thankful for. It’s so easy and takes no time.
Just a couple of quick compliments.
Remember for a moment how life was (or would be) without them.
We all get so busy. So focused on daily tasks, activities and our “to do” list that we often lose sight of the more important things in life. Last week, I wrote every day in my journal that a WIN for the day would be a meeting with a local distributor and it wasn’t until journaling last night that I realized, we got that meeting. I paused for only two seconds before quickly moving on to the next pressing task. I didn’t even take a breath long enough to celebrate this success or express my gratitude to my team members for making it happen.
Lost Without Them
In the chaos of our daily lives, we don’t stop enough to take a minute and just remind the people we love that they mean the world to us and we’d be lost without them. So, if you are reading this, stop, take a breath and go tell someone special what you love about them and what you are grateful for. (And yes, even a simple text message works).
It’s an awesome reminder of what life is all about!
And it can be so small; for example, I said to my husband, “I’m grateful that you make me incredible lattes every morning and that you’re an excellent cook.”
Just a gentle nudge that I appreciate him.
People often ask me what the key is to such a successful marriage. We all know marriages and relationships take work. One tip I need to often remind myself about is to compliment one another. When you do, you remove any doubt that you might be taking your spouse for granted.
As time passes, for some reason, it’s easier to criticize than to compliment. We spend so much time bringing each other down rather than propping each other up. So much strength comes from that . . . . So, take a few minutes, compile your thoughts and go make someone’s day!
It really is the small things that make a big difference.
