Gratitude & Growth: How Thankfulness Fuels What’s Next

Gratitude reframes setbacks as building blocks.

November is the season when inboxes and feeds overflow with “we’re thankful” messages. Don’t get me wrong. I love gratitude. But the truth is, gratitude deserves more than a seasonal shout-out. When practiced intentionally, it’s also one of the most underrated growth strategies in business.

Gratitude isn’t just a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s clarity. It’s perspective. It’s noticing what worked (and what didn’t) so you know where to focus your energy moving forward.

Reflecting on Achievements & Lessons 

This time of year is a natural pause point: you’ve been through three quarters of 2025, and January is waiting just around the corner. Before diving into “what’s next,” it’s worth looking back: 

• What milestones did you hit? 

• What surprises popped up? 

• What lessons did you learn—sometimes the hard way? 

Often, the things we’re most grateful for aren’t the shiny wins, but the challenges. The client that didn’t pan out taught you who isn’t your customer. The launch that flopped forced you to rethink your offer. The delay you didn’t want gave you space to refine your plan. Gratitude reframes setbacks as building blocks.

Gratitude in Action

Here’s the thing: gratitude is only powerful if you put it to work. 

• Gratitude for your customers means doubling down on what they value most, not just what you think they want. I saw this great video from jewelry designer Liz Fox Roseberry. She has pre-printed cards for each package, but she writes a quick thank you to each customer. It’s a small gesture, but very personal. Here is the video.
  

• Gratitude for your partners or team means recognizing collaboration as an asset, and investing in those relationships. One of my favorite parts of working at Whole Foods Market is that we took appreciation seriously. Every meeting agenda included time for appreciation—a time to thank those that helped you in small and large ways.
  

• Gratitude for your own grit means acknowledging the persistence and resilience that got you this far—and will carry you forward. I mean, look…we gotta give ourselves some credit for all we do! It’s a thankless job running a business.

These aren’t just niceties. They’re signals. And when you act on them, you create stronger connections, sharper strategy, and smarter growth.

Growth: Looking Ahead 

Gratitude isn’t just about looking back. It’s about shaping what comes next. 

As you reflect this November, try asking yourself: 

• What am I most grateful for in my business this year? 

• What did those moments teach me about how I want to grow?

• Where do I want to carry that energy into 2026? 

Think of November as a bridge month. Reflection fuels gratitude, gratitude fuels growth, and growth sets the stage for a new year.

Gratitude doesn't have to wait until November. It’s about noticing what’s working in your business every day, and using that clarity to grow with more intention.

So I’ll leave you with this: what are you most grateful for in your business this year, and how will it shape your growth in 2026?