I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!
This year, we continued our tradition of going to the Cowboys game – then having a big dinner together afterward.
This year, we did have significantly more vegans and vegetarians than ever before. Who doesn't like mac and cheese?! Hint ... half of the 16 people we had over for dinner this year.
In acknowledgment of the last two years of isolation, I feel as if this Thanksgiving meant more than it typically has. It certainly felt good to celebrate together.
Thanksgiving is a reminder to be grateful for the blessings in your life - big and small. But it's also a time to be thankful for the challenges in your life - and the opportunities for growth.
Often, when I think about what I want, the first thing I think of is what I don't want. Similarly, when I think about what's going well (or something worthy of being thankful for), I first think about what has been difficult or isn't above minimum standards yet. Some things change quickly. Apparently, human nature isn't one of them.
Challenges are often hidden gold mines. Instead of thinking about them being obstacles for you, recognize that getting past them creates an obstacle for competitors. In other words, figuring out a strategy to achieve these lofty goals creates a new status quo and a sustainable competitive advantage.
At Capitalogix, we often talk about "finding a way," "creating breakthroughs," and "setting new standards." The reason is that most things an innovator wants are just outside their current capabilities (otherwise, they'd already have them).
Dealing with this on a daily basis requires a resilient mindset and the ability to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
Having no problems either means you're blind to your flaws or aren't playing a big enough game (which is a problem in itself).
So, I am thankful for my health, my family and friends, and the quality of my life. But, I am also thankful for the stress, the challenges, and the opportunity to face a continually better class of challenges that forge a path to a bigger future.
Onwards!
Happy Thanksgiving!