When you think of July 4th, you may think of colorful fireworks displays, family picnics under the summer sunshine, or the mouthwatering smell of the grill during backyard barbeques.

While those thoughts come to mind, I also think back to cherished childhood memories celebrating Independence Day.

I fondly recall spending summers visiting my grandmother – Grandma Quinn – in South Carolina, whose birthday fell on July 4th. I was fortunate that July 4th always meant quality time spent with family.

But it’s important that our Independence Day associations run even deeper than the sights, smells, and memories we associate with the holiday.

For me, July 4th is more than just a day of celebration. It’s a day of gratitude.

I’m grateful and privileged to live in a country where I can get up every morning, pursue life, liberty, and happiness, and enjoy the results of my labor without fear of oppression.

I’m incredibly grateful and indebted to the brave forces who literally put their lives on the line to ensure that the safety, security, and freedom I treasure remain intact.

This year, I also feel gratitude toward the front line workers, from doctors and nurses to trash collectors and grocery store employees, who have worked themselves to the bone to see us through this challenging time.

When we juggle personal responsibilities, professional demands, and busy schedules, it’s so easy to take these gifts for granted. But on July 4th, I encourage you to reflect on just how fortunate we are to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

As independent business owners and professionals, our Independence Day associations should run even more deeply than that.

Here’s why… The core values we celebrate on July 4th – independence and freedom – are the very same values that allow us to live the lives we love. That’s why it’s called “Independence Day,” and that’s why we continue to celebrate it year after year!

Without the independence and freedom that we enjoy here in the United States, our professional goals and aspirations would be little more than distant pipedreams. Many people in countries around the world merely dream of the careers we are able to pursue here.

Take a moment in the next few days to reflect on the independence and freedom we are fortunate to be able to pursue. After all, wasn’t it independence and freedom that propelled you into the career that you now work so hard for? Remember these 3 sources of professional freedom this week and every week:

Freedom #1: Time – You may have to work hard, but you’re able to choose how to spend your time, both professionally and personally, so you can live a full, balanced life and pursue other interests. You can also free up more time by working effectively and efficiently.

Freedom #2: Relationships – You have the power to decide with whom you spend your time – both in and out of the office. You get to decide which type of clients or customers to pursue, which employees or contractors to collaborate with, and whom to network with professionally.

Freedom #3: Money – If you’re a business owner or entrepreneur, there’s no ceiling on how much you can earn. The smarter you work, the more money you can bring home. Even if you work for a corporation and your salary is determined by your boss, you have the freedom to make yourself an invaluable asset to the team that company executives will want to compensate fairly to keep you around.

Let this Independence Day serve as a reminder that we all have a real opportunity – and arguably an obligation – to do all that we can to achieve all that we can. In short, we owe it to ourselves to take advantage of our freedom and actualize our potential.

At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I help my clients build the legacy businesses that couldn’t be built without the priceless freedoms and liberties we enjoy.

Commit yourself to pursuing your personal and professional passions fiercely. And this weekend, take the time to think about just how blessed we are to dream big, work hard, and achieve the seemingly unachievable.

Wishing you a safe and prosperous July 4th weekend.

Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus^TM” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I work with each client to implement the strategies they’ve been missing that will enable them to break through barriers preventing them from the success they know they are capable of. Contact me today to find your future clients who just don’t know what they’re missing.