It’s time for a gratitude check

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s an opportunity to take a real pause.

Not the "day off work" kind of pause, but the kind where you stop, look around, and appreciate everything you've built. Most high performers are too focused on the next big win.

And they fail to see their progress even if they haven't reached their goals yet. But what if I told you that gratitude can do more for your growth?

Let’s dive in.

🗯️ Taking the Reins

A month ago, I stepped in as interim CEO for one of my companies. I had other plans, and this wasn’t part of it.

Overnight, it became a primary focus, reordering half my schedule, taking over half of my time, screwing up my calendar, and throwing every priority I had into a new light. It’s not a bad thing. It’s an opportunity.

I’m doing the right thing. It’s what needs to be done, but it’s a curveball—an opportunity to stretch beyond my usual role. I know this unexpected change isn’t going to just disappear, and wrestling with it won’t help my sanity.

So, I’m settling into the new reality, adapting and winging it one day at a time. And while the temptation to see curveballs as burdens is strong, there’s a way to make them game-changers instead.

💝 What Have You Stopped Appreciating?

It’s easy to get buried in the pursuit for excellence. Living in the awareness of your success but numb to gratitude of how far you’ve come. Your wins may start to feel routine. So you become more concerned about chasing the next goal. You hit a milestone and barely take a breath before asking, “What’s next?” You think by achieving more, you’ll finally reach a place where you feel fully satisfied.

But that satisfaction never quite arrives, does it?

Because at the end of every big win, a new pursuit emerges with a greater promise, better outcome, and better reward. Moving the finish line further away. So if you’re not pausing to appreciate what’s in front of you, nothing you chase will ever be enough. You’ll just pile up the weight of your own expectations. Leaving you feeling unfulfilled no matter how much you accomplish.

Your passion will gradually get replaced with a sense of obligation. Your joy will become overshadowed by stress. Because you’ve failed to realize the next win doesn’t make you feel fulfilled, it’s learning to appreciate the wins that are already yours.

❤️ My Moment of Appreciation

This Thanksgiving week, I’m making space for that pause. I’ve been reflecting on a lot of things. Looking at the immense difference from just a year ago in my personal life and business, there’s a lot to be thankful for. My beautiful family, the people who support me day in and day out, my team, clients who’ve trusted me to be part of their success story, and the incredible journey that has brought me here.

I am grateful for the big wins and milestones that defined my year. Thankful for greater clarity of my vision, and steps to make it a reality.

Excited about taking back control of my health, the conversations that sparked new ideas, the shared laughs, the lessons, the experiences, and the challenges that pushed me to grow.

Not forgetting the small wins in between.

💌 Pause and Be Thankful

When you engage in a soul-deep appreciation for the present moment, it clears the noise and shifts your focus from what's missing to what's present. This clarity makes you more intentional, more strategic, and decisive.

It opens you up to new possibilities, new ideas, and deeper connections.
It reminds you of all the things that keeps you connected to your purpose.
Why you started.
Who you’re doing it for.
Why you have to keep pushing.
You become more open to things that matters to you.
You stop chasing goals that do not align with your big vivid vision.
You make decisions from a place of abundance rather than lack.
It’s like giving yourself permission to stop chasing and start living.

💫 What’s Been There All Along?

As we approach Thanksgiving, take a moment to reflect on things to be grateful for.
What have you built that you haven’t given yourself credit for?
What’s one thing in your life right now that you’d fight hard to keep if it was taken away?
How about the small victories, the lessons you learned, and the people who’ve walked alongside you?
Think about the challenges that have shaped you, and all the moments in between.
Your journey is unique, and every step matters.
So before you dive headfirst into the next challenge, ask yourself what’s already working for you that you haven’t fully appreciated.
Not just this Thanksgiving, but every day.

With appreciation,
Huw