Is Gratitude a Part of Your Business Plan?

It’s easy enough to say “thank you” to our customers, but how often do you stop to reflect on the many ways that your business enriches your life?

Most of us would have never started our own business or entered the freelance game if our only goal was money. Sure, you could make a fortune working for yourself, but you could also lose one and the rewards don’t come quickly or in a smooth, reliable stream. I believe that most people that choose to work for themselves do so because they want more than just a paycheck.

It’s easy to lose sight of that, though when our days are filled to the brim with obligations. Even during times when everything is going right, we get so caught up in the whirl that excitement pushes aside the more quiet, contemplative feelings of gratitude.

Here are a few things I’m grateful for as a freelancer this Thanksgiving. Sure the list might seem a little hokey in places, but I’m fine with that. As I grow older, I find that pride is far less important than sincerity and enthusiasm.

I am grateful for my easy clients the ones that have clearly articulated, reasonable needs, the ones that pay on time with a smile and a thank you because it makes me so happy to talk to them and I get so much energy from their positive attitudes.

I am grateful for the client I had to fire. I wish it hadn’t had to be that way, but finding out firsthand that I could calmly say no to a work situation that was untenable was an empowering experience.

I am grateful for all the times I got to practice thinking fast on my feet. While I might have grumbled or been scared at the time, it kept my mind fresh and active.

I am grateful for every call I had to make. At first it felt like I had to vomit and pass out before each one, now I just feel vaguely queasy, this time next year I think it won’t even phase me at all. I am so glad I had to push past my fears and found out that a few flubbed lines wouldn’t kill me, dismember me or get me exiled from the human race.

I am grateful for learning that I could find a way to make it work with no money and learning how to make the fat times supplement the lean.

I am grateful for the people who gave me constructive criticism and helped me get past defensiveness to learn to appreciate the opportunity to improve.

I am grateful for getting awful, hurtful comments because now I understand that I can choose not to pay attention to things that are meant to wound, not help.

I am grateful for the crap jobs, scut work and other things I had to do in the beginning to make a living. It wasn’t glamorous but it kept me going until I worked my way up to the juicier, meatier jobs.

I am grateful for impossible demands. I either learned to push myself beyond what I thought was possible or set reasonable limits. I think that knowing when to do which is a sign of wisdom and one day I’ll have it down to an art.

I am grateful for those that took the time to show me the ropes. Their patience and generosity not only helped me, but gave me a sense that I mattered.

I am grateful for those who let me figure out things on my own. Sometimes you have to just dive in there and get your hands filthy to really learn. The confidence that comes with knowing that people trust you to be able to find a way is priceless.

I am grateful for every success that built me up.

I am grateful for every failure. Not just because I learned from all my mistakes but I learned that I do not have to be afraid of failing so why not take a chance?

I am grateful to those who took the time to give a compliment or say thank you. Knowing that I help others gives me the motivation to keep going.

There are so many things that I am grateful for that I wouldn’t have necessarily had without taking the plunge into freelancing. I have learned so much, been challenged in so many ways and my life is filled with opportunities to push myself and my creativity to new heights. The people that I’ve met, even the ones that didn’t necessarily make me happy, have taught me so many important lessons.

What about your business fills you with gratitude? How have your clients enriched your life?

photo credit ©istock/swilmor