[CAREER SUCCESS] There is ALWAYS something to be grateful for

"When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude." ~ Anonymous

Hi Audie,

Welcome to November! Can you believe we're down to the final two months of 2025? This year has flown by!

I love November as my favorite holiday is later this month -- Thanksgiving! 🦃 There's something so special about slowing down, sharing good food (I'm looking at you, sweet potato casserole with toasted marshmallows!😋) and spending time with family and friends.

At the same time, I know this season can bring mixed emotions. Not only may people feel anxious or lonely at this time of year, many people are feeling uneasy right now, given everything happening in the world and closer to home. It's a good time to give ourselves permission to slow down, extend empathy and meet others where they are. As the saying goes, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about."

As we move through November (the month of gratitude), I've been thinking about how grounding it can be to focus on what's good, even when life feels uncertain. A little perspective -- and a lot of gratitude -- can go a long way in helping us stay centered and hopeful.

That's what inspired this month's article. Enjoy!

There Is Always, Always, Always Something to Be Grateful For

I feel fortunate for the many wonderful experiences in my life -- amazing life-long friends, inspiring colleagues and clients from every stage of my life and family members who have supported me in meaningful ways.

But like so many of us, I've had plenty of challenges, disappointments and distressing situations in my life, including being downsized not once, but twice, from positions I loved and excelled in.

Through those experiences, I've learned a lot about resilience and perspective. Here are a few things that helped me navigate the tough times and come out stronger on the other side:

🎃 Focus on the positives in your life. At bedtime, reflect on your day and come up with three things you're grateful for in your life or the positive things that occurred throughout your day.

🎃 Who do you know who's experienced what you're going through? Identify one or two people you feel you can confide in, and reach out to them. Seek their advice on what they did to help them overcome this situation, what they would have done differently if they were going through the situation again (hindsight is 20/20), etc.

🎃 What are some logical next steps you can begin taking to move you forward? Grab a pen and paper and do a brain dump. Don't judge or second guess yourself! Step away for a period of time, and come back and review your list. What is the first step you can take? What's the next one? What's the third one? Now take action and make sure you evaluate as you go along. If need be, course correct ... but keep moving forward.

Here are some pitfalls to avoid when you're experiencing challenging times:

💀 Overstaying your welcome at your pity party! Depending upon the situation, it's important to acknowledge how you're feeling and take time to deal with it. For example, if you've been downsized, take time to deal with the shock, anger, disappointment or grieve your loss, but the best thing you can do is to put a plan in place and move forward as soon as possible.

💀 While in job search mode, try to keep any frustrations or negative feelings to a few 'chosen' people. I's so important to be positive and upbeat outwardly as you never know who you may meet or run into who could be helpful to you in your search.

💀 Avoid (or minimize) surrounding yourself with negative people during this time. It's fairly common for downsized professionals to meet (virtually or in person) and gripe about their situation. Instead, use this opportunity to help each other with introductions or referrals, share strategies that are working, and/or act as accountability partners for one another.

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In closing, I hope you found this email to be thought-provoking, uplifting and helpful. Hit reply and let me know what resonated with you the most -- I read every email and will respond. I love hearing from you!

Have a wonderful November, and if you're in the US, enjoy your Thanksgiving! I'll be back in your inbox next month with other valuable job search tips, strategies, mindset shifts and light bulb moments. 💡

To your career success,

Audie 

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