One of my favorite Christmas movies is Jim Carrey’s version of the Grinch. And let’s be honest, it can be easy to identify with his character’s angst over the Christmas season rushing around in brutal traffic, buying junk people don’t need…just to see their mildly disappointed smile when opening it. But… I digress.
The Grinch movie helps remind me what Christmas, and the coming of Jesus Christ, should remind all of us: being grateful for our many blessings. Not things, but people. The magic of moments with the people we care about most. Relationships.
Forget the abstract, “I’m grateful for my network.” I mean the actual humans who showed up for you this year. The ones who took your call. The ones who sent the text that said “you good?” when you weren’t. The ones who pushed back on your bad idea before you made it worse. The ones who celebrated your win without keeping score.
Here’s what I’ve learned after nearly 20 years in this industry: relationships are the only currency that actually appreciates. Your title changes. Your company changes. Your budget, your team, your strategy—all of it shifts. But the people who matter? They stay. If you let them.
We say, “let’s grab coffee” and never do. We think “I should thank them for that” and don’t. We assume people know we appreciate them because we worked together once or stayed in touch on social media. But appreciation left unsaid doesn’t count. It doesn’t land. It doesn’t stick.
So, here’s my challenge in the new year: bring the Grinch spirit all year round. Not only BE grateful for the real connections I’ve made but STOP and tell them. Make sure they know how much they’ve meant to me along this journey – personally and professionally.
Having trouble recognizing support? Ask yourself: Who mentored you when they didn’t have to? Who vouched for you when you needed it? Who told you the truth when everyone else was being polite? Who made you laugh when everything felt heavy? Who showed up—not because they had to, but because they chose to?
Those people are your blessings. Not your conference speaking slots or your social media followers or your job title. The people who know you—actually know you—and pick up when you call without fail.
I’m so grateful for this industry and the people in it. It’s been a joy for these last 20 years to learn, grow, and build new things in it – WITH YOU! I don’t say it enough – but THANK YOU! To all those that pick up my call, come to our events, believe in what we’re doing – we appreciate YOU!
And if there’s someone in your life who fits that description? Tell them. Today. Not next week. Not when it’s convenient. Now. Because gratitude isn’t a season. It’s a practice. And the people who matter deserve to hear it while it still means something.
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!”
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!