Do you count down the days to Thanksgiving?

I always do!

Thanksgiving conjures up powerful memories and tickles the senses. We look forward to an abundant feast of the classics: turkey with stuffing, velvety mashed potatoes, and – of course – the perfect pumpkin pie. As mouth-watering as the food is, hopefully the reason you count down the days to Thanksgiving is because it’s an opportunity to spend quality time with your friends and loved ones.

As I sit around the table at Thanksgiving each year, I take time to count my blessings and express gratitude for all that I have in my life.

It goes without saying that Thanksgiving is a fitting time to appreciate your family. As entrepreneurs, we have extremely busy schedules and plentiful responsibilities. While managing a business can feel like a full-time job, family and friends should always be prioritized. After all, they are often the reason we work so hard to build Legacy Businesses! Take time this Thanksgiving to reflect on whether you make enough time for your loved ones, and whether you have expressed your appreciation for all they do to enrich your life.

But the chief lesson of Thanksgiving – the importance of gratitude – doesn’t only apply to family and friends. It applies to all areas of your life. Gratitude isn’t something to practice on occasion; it should permeate every area of your life. And your business is no exception.

A successful business doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and while you may wear many hats, you aren’t a one-man or one-women operation. It’s important to recognize all those who contribute to the success of your business, and to express your gratitude to them.

Be Grateful to Your Team

I speak regularly about the importance of building a team of experts around you. By building a skilled team, you free up your time to do whatever it is you do best, whether that’s coaching, marketing, sales or networking.

Some entrepreneurs work directly with their team members in a central office location every day. Many others build a “remote” team of service providers who complete their tasks from their own offices. Whichever camp you fall into, take time this week to thank your team for their hard work and support. After all, they work hard to help you achieve YOUR goals!

You can express your gratitude in person, over the phone or with a hand-written note. The important thing is to speak from the heart, let them know you value their contribution, and commend them for the specific work they do. Expressing your appreciation should become a regular habit. When team members feel their efforts are being recognized and appreciated, it fuels them to produce even better results, which drives your business forward.

Be Grateful for Your Clients

We live in an incredibly competitive world. You provide a service, but you likely have many competitors eagerly trying to tap the same target market as you. Remember that your clients have chosen to put their faith – and invest their hard-earned dollars – in you. This is a great time of year to let them know you value their continued business.

In addition to providing a quality service that adds value to their lives and doing right by your clients, letting them know you appreciate them is one of the best ways to secure their business. And remember, a happy client is more likely to send high quality leads your way! Consider sending a token of appreciation in the form of a promotion, special gift or “bonus” service to drive your message home.

Be Grateful to Your Mentors and Support System

You know the expression “It takes a village to raise a child”? Well, it often takes a village to support and empower a successful entrepreneur. You’ve likely had a number of mentors in your life who have provided sound advice and shared lessons they learned on their own journeys. A mentor’s guidance and knowledge can help you overcome obstacles and accelerate your road to success. Take time to reach out and thank these mentors.

It’s equally if not more important to express heartfelt gratitude to your support system. Who roots for you to succeed, picks you up when you’re struggling and holds down the fort as you tirelessly pursue your dreams? Perhaps it’s your partner, your children, a parent or a good friend. A strong support system is vital to an entrepreneur’s lasting success. Thanksgiving is an opportune time to let your support system know how deeply you appreciate their love and encouragement. It’s also important to make sure that you are there for them as well.

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My husband Mike and I feel blessed to have so much to be grateful for – our family, friends, freedom, colleagues and, of course, one another.

On the business front, I am grateful to be supported by a team of dedicated experts – business managers, social media experts, copywriters and brand strategists – who work hard to help me achieve my goals. I would not be where I am today without them! I am also thankful for each and every one of my Celeste Giordano Coaching clients. It’s an honor and a privilege to help them grow both personally and professionally.

This Thanksgiving, I challenge you to take stock of all your blessings and successes. Identify action steps you can take to make gratitude a regular part of your life, both personally and professionally. Doing so will enrich your life and open your eyes to all you have to be thankful for!

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving,

Celeste

Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “double-plus” 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 almost 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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