For the entire month of November I shared across Facebook and Twitter my business gratitudes. If you missed them or care to read them again, here you go.
[Business Gratitude: Day 1] I am immensely grateful to be able to work with some amazing clients. Love ya all and count my blessings that you’re part of my business success.
[Business Gratitude: Day 2] Having a family who supports my business ideas and believes in the work I do.
[Business Gratitude: Day 3] Having a desk that faces a fabulous view outdoors that feature glimpses of passing wildlife and birds.
[Business Gratitude: Day 4] Virtual buddies who make time for impromptu Skype chats to work through issues, giggle fests, and lunch parties.
[Business Gratitude: Day 5] Social media accounts which bring me into someone’s day to join them in celebrating their victories or send a virtual hug when they need it.
[Business Gratitude: Day 6] Rulers. Yes, you read that correctly. Of all the office supplies available I use clear rulers daily…as line guides in data entry work, as bookmarks in books, as extended hands to adjust open the blinds from cat rubs and probably have 10 colorful rulers on my desk on any given day.
[Business Gratitude: Day 7] VA organizations and associations that host FREE learning seminars. In my early days these webinars were my guides and virtual mentors. I’m grateful for all the networking opportunities and friendships formed from attending a webinar.
[Business Gratitude: Day 8] Being the only one in the office so I can crank up the music when the mood dictates and listen to whatever order and genre strikes my fancy. So what if Queen is followed by Blake Shelton by Bruno Mars and then Nickelback. It’s the crazy way that weaves a melody into my eclectic day.
[Business Gratitude: Day 9] Listening to snoring feline office companions while I type. Happy purrs and snores mean life is grand, wouldn’t you say?
[Business Gratitude: Day 10] I’m grateful for my inner circle of support peers who never roll their eyes at my raw ideas no matter how kooky it sounds at first description.
[Business Gratitude: Day 11] Having the insight to blog my way and not connect that blog to my business site because the audiences are different…and that, my friends, is okay, too.
[Business Gratitude: Day 12] Today I’m grateful for flexible schedules which allow me to sneak away in the middle of the morning for a podcast and walk on the elliptical machine (aka Eli). I wonder how many webinar presenters would be surprised to know I step to their talks?
[Business Gratitude: Day 13] Sweet tea. If you’ve followed my page or know me personally you’ll remember that this is what keeps me going. Special shout out to hubby who brews a pitcher for me about every other morning.
[Business Gratitude: Day 14] I’m humbled by the “yeses” I receive when I invite a virtual professional to be interviewed on my blog. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for sharing your stories and being a living inspiration to your peers. I’m honored to feature you.
[Business Gratitude: Day 15] Thank you to my clients for placing your trust in my business knowing I have your back on your projects and will always treat them as carefully as I do Maple projects in my own business.
[Business Gratitude: Day 16] Sharing a big HIGH FIVE for those days when I thought a project glitch would kill me, only to overcome it, and come out the other side. Yeah, I know it makes me stronger but when you’re walking through it, as a solopreneur, that’s hard to remember.
[Business Gratitude: Day 17] Having a hubby who excels in IT support. This, my friends, is a reason why I delegate faster than doing these things myself. I’m spoiled and much prefer working in the less tech-y areas. Added bonus: Our son is also gifted in this area so I have a backup plan in the making. 😉
[Business Gratitude: Day 18] I’m grateful for the employment positions that have built skill on top of skill to pave the pathway for operating my own businesses. Looking back I can see how each piece neatly fit together to lead me to today. God’s plan has been amazing.
[Business Gratitude: Day 19] Today I’m grateful for leftovers and warm up meals. Some days I get so engrossed in what I’m working on (not wanting to break the creative flow) that I hate to stop to fix a proper lunch. 2 o’clock can sneak up on you in a blink on these kinds of days.
[Business Gratitude: Day 20] I’m grateful for a garden of fresh flowers, ready for picking, to grace my office desk. Everyone should indulge with fresh flowers on their desk. [Fuschia mums today!] What a smile bringer!
[Business Gratitude: Day 21] Thursdays. Thursdays have been a favored day of mine for years. Seems all the great newsletters arrive on this day. Great evening tv shows. Some of the best present seminars on a Thursday. Thursdays are rarely jammed packed on my schedule like a Monday or Friday.
[Business Gratitude: Day 22] Testimonials. Getting these from happy clients makes my heart sing and is one of the BEST compliments a business owner can receive.
[Business Gratitude: Day 23] I have a small North America map on my office wall with map pins on the locations of my clients. I’m grateful for the visual picture of how far reaching my services have supported other business professionals. It reminds me that the impact circles of my work continue to ripple across the US and Canada.
[Business Gratitude: Day 24] I’m grateful for evergreen friendships among my peers. Perhaps we haven’t spoken recently but when anyone reaches out for a subcontract job, for a consult, or to troubleshoot an issue the time lapsed never matters. What an industry and great friendships across the miles! Someday I’d love to meet each face-to-face or even voice-to-voice.
[Business Gratitude: Day 25] Free Kindle business books. Wow, you can get addicted to loading business books on your Kindle Thanks, authors, for your generosity.
[Business Gratitude: Day 26] The VA forums and administrators. Wow, the dedication you demonstrate and the savvy to start up a forum site that gives so much to this VA industry. You are the ultimate givers who so many owe much gratitude *BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE*
[Business Gratitude: Day 27] I’m grateful to those I mentor for sharing your successes with me as well as trusting me with your struggles. You’ve got this! Don’t sweat the hiccups because these will be forgotten in time.
[Business Gratitude: Day 28] I’m tickled with each comment or like or share on my comments on social media. It’s a small gesture that has an immediate impact. Thanks for participating.
[Business Gratitude: Day 29] I’m thankful for a great office chair that is conducive to chair dancing when a great song is filling the office. (Oh come on, I know, you dance, too.)
[Business Gratitude: Day 30] Wow. My heart is full and I’ve enjoyed sharing some of my gratitudes with you these past 30 days. I hope you’ve enjoyed a glimpse into my world and have had many thankful moments in the past days with many, many more in the days to come.
If you’ve never participated in the November Thanksgiving “thanks” postings online I encourage you to calendar it and do it next year. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to come up 30 gratitudes. But, I think, you’ll be even more surprised how many people will connect with you and share their “thanks.”
To your continued success…. /Ruth