Thanksliving: Practicing an Attitude of Perpetual Gratitude

  

 

 It's been said that life is a good news, bad news proposition. The good news is that life's challenges help us grow. The bad news is that there is more good news coming! 😅

In his book Discovering the Laws of Life, the famed money manager and philanthropist John Templeton coined the word “Thanksliving.” He recommended practicing an attitude of perpetual gratitude.

That's not hard when times are good. But in these times, fraught with uncertainty, an attitude of continual thankfulness can be a tall order. Yet Templeton offers a radical solution. Don't just give thanks for your blessings. Be grateful for your problems, too.

This seems wildly counterintuitive at first blush (Almost crazy😲). But facing our challenges makes us stronger, smarter, tougher, and more valuable as leaders, employees, parents, mates, ...and human beings.

"Solving problems is what were made for" it's what makes life worth living," remarked Templeton.

He goes on, "Adversity, when overcome strengthens us. So we are giving thanks not for the problem itself but for the strength and knowledge that comes from it. Giving thanks for the growth ahead of time will help you grow through--not just go through--your challenges."

What ever problems we're grappling with--personal, social, health, or financial--the best course is to face them with all the courage, patience, and equanimity you can muster.

And if possible be grateful.

On occasion, of course, our problems are simply bigger than we are. In an address in 1859, Abraham Lincoln recounted the following tale:

It is said that an Eastern Monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and in all situations. They presented him with the words: "And this, too, shall pass away." How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!

That's something worth keeping in mind.

Whatever your problems, few of them can withstand the onslaught of optimism, persistence, and a genuine spirit of gratitude.

As the poet Robert Frost reminds us, "The best way out is always through."

Check out two related posts:

Embracing Hardship: The Hidden Benefits of Suffering (5 min read) 

Why It's Healthy And Productive to Cultivate A Culture of Gratitude at Work  (5 min read)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT

 

Take the Next Step...
Interested in learning how to develop your organization's leadership capability, culture, and employee engagement? We begin with a collaborative discovery process identifying your unique needs and business issues. To request an interview with Peter Mclees please 

contact: Email: petercmclees@gmail.com  or  Mobile:323-854-1713

Smart Development has an exceptional track record helping service providers, ports, sales teams, restaurants, stores, distribution centers, food production facilities, wealth management services, third-party maintenance providers, real estate services, nonprofits, government agencies and other businesses create a strong culture, leadership bench strength, coaching skills and the teamwork necessary for growth.

Having worked with several companies throughout their growth cycle, we have valuable insights and strategies that would help any late stage startup, small or medium sized company achieve sustained growth and prosperity.

 

 

Thanksliving: Practicing an Attitude of Perpetual Gratitude

 

   

It's been said that life is a good news, bad news proposition. The good news is that life's challenges help us grow. The bad news is that there is more good news coming! 😅

In his book Discovering the Laws of Life, the famed money manager and philanthropist John Templeton coined the word “Thanksliving.” He recommended practicing an attitude of perpetual gratitude.

That's not hard when times are good. But in these times, fraught with uncertainty, an attitude of continual thankfulness can be a tall order. Yet Templeton offers a radical solution. Don't just give thanks for your blessings. Be grateful for your problems, too.

This seems wildly counterintuitive at first blush (Almost crazy😲). But facing our challenges makes us stronger, smarter, tougher, and more valuable as leaders, employees, parents, mates, ...and human beings.

"Solving problems is what were made for" it's what makes life worth living," remarked Templeton.

He goes on, "Adversity, when overcome strengthens us. So we are giving thanks not for the problem itself but for the strength and knowledge that comes from it. Giving thanks for the growth ahead of time will help you grow through--not just go through--your challenges."

What ever problems we're grappling with--personal, social, health, or financial--the best course is to face them with all the courage, patience, and equanimity you can muster.

And if possible be grateful.

On occasion, of course, our problems are simply bigger than we are. In an address in 1859, Abraham Lincoln recounted the following tale:

It is said that an Eastern Monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and in all situations. They presented him with the words: "And this, too, shall pass away." How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!

That's something worth keeping in mind.

Whatever your problems, few of them can withstand the onslaught of optimism, persistence, and a genuine spirit of gratitude.

As the poet Robert Frost reminds us, "The best way out is always through."

Check out a must-read related post: Why It's Healthy And Productive to Cultivate A Culture of Gratitude at Work  (5 min read)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT

 

Take the Next Step...
Interested in learning how to develop your organization's leadership capability, culture, and employee engagement? We begin with a collaborative discovery process identifying your unique needs and business issues. To request an interview with Peter Mclees please 

contact: Email: petercmclees@gmail.com  or  Mobile:323-854-1713

Smart Development has an exceptional track record helping service providers, ports, sales teams, restaurants, stores, distribution centers, food production facilities, wealth management services, third-party maintenance providers, real estate services, nonprofits, government agencies and other businesses create a strong culture, leadership bench strength, coaching skills and the teamwork necessary for growth.

Having worked with several companies throughout their growth cycle, we have valuable insights and strategies that would help any late stage startup, small or medium sized company achieve sustained growth and prosperity.

 

 

You Can't Be A Good Leader If You're Not Intentionally Coaching Up Your Team

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Leadership happens one conversation at a time. So make every chat count and have fun with it!"

If you can only remember one golden nugget of wisdom about leading, let it be this: the most energizing and motivating thing people feel at work is making progress on something that matters to them. If you’re in charge of leading others, here’s your mission: help your team experience wins—big or small—on work that lights them up inside. That’s right, your daily superpower is guiding people toward meaningful progress!

To make this happen, tune in to what drives each teammate, connect their work to your company's bold mission, share feedback like it’s confetti, and support their nonstop growth. Regular chats about development—aka deliberate and "fun" coaching conversations—are where the magic happens. In fact, research says the very best managers are coach-like, not just taskmasters.

Here’s the twist: most companies don’t even expect their managers to be coach-like, even though employees crave learning and career growth more than anything else in a job. Some managers hesitate, thinking they don’t have the time or know-how. But guess what? Over two-thirds of learning happens right on the job—not in a classroom! If managers skip these conversations, everyone misses out: growth slows, motivation drops, and business results take a hit. That’s no fun for anyone!

Can you teach even the most old-school, results-driven manager to become coach-like? Absolutely. The best part? Coaching boosts performance for both the manager and the team. It’s an uplifting experience to connect with someone, help them achieve something meaningful, and watch them become more of who they want to be. Real talk: nothing beats the positive energy sparked by a great coaching conversation. Real leaders everywhere have told me that helping others grow is the most rewarding part of their job.

Why wait? Starting today, you can become a more effective—and happier—manager by sprinkling regular coaching chats into your week. And here’s a bonus: these conversations don’t need to eat up your whole day! Ready to kick off your coaching adventure? Try these five fun and powerful tips:

·    Listen mindfully. Imagine what it feels like to talk to someone who’s busy and distracted—now flip the script! Give your team member your full attention, listen with an open mind, and show you care. Kick things off with a playful question like, “What would you love to learn this month?” The magic is in your intention to truly connect.

·    Ask more, tell less. Sure, you’ve got lots of wisdom to share, but coaching is about guiding, not dictating. Ditch the answers and get curious. Open-ended questions help team members discover their own path, set their own goals, and come up with creative solutions they’re excited to tackle.

·    Create and sustain a developmental partnership. Cheering your team on is key! If someone wants to explore user experience by joining a site visit, help her make it happen—and celebrate her initiative. Shine a light on her achievements and keep the support coming. Consistent follow-through shows you’ve got their back, making your partnership stronger and more fun.

·    Focus on moving forward, positively. It’s easy to get bogged down in frustrations, but let’s keep our eyes on what’s possible! Acknowledge the challenges, then encourage your teammate to brainstorm solutions. Ask, “Which activity would make the biggest splash for your growth?” or “How can we carve out time for your development dreams?” Turning obstacles into opportunities is where the magic happens.

·    Build accountability. Follow up on your promises and encourage your team to do the same. For example, if someone plans to look into a training course, ask them to share the details (cost, time needed, etc.) by a certain date. This way, everyone stays on track and coaching becomes a game-changer for your team.

To take your leadership journey even further, consider enrolling your team of leaders with a professional leadership coach. A seasoned coach brings fresh perspectives, proven strategies, and a supportive environment where leaders can practice new skills, tackle real challenges, and unlock their full potential. 

By investing in expert coaching, you empower your leaders to develop coach-like habits, cultivate growth mindsets, and create lasting impact throughout your company or department. This commitment to ongoing development not only accelerates individual growth but also strengthens your team's collective performance and culture.

So, what’s in it for you? Coaching builds stronger, more energized bonds, empowers your team to own their learning, and helps everyone reach new heights. Plus, it’s actually fun! At a recent team training session, a manager told me that coaching “felt like a bungee jump”—he showed up at the meeting tired and left smiling ear to ear. He wasn’t alone; the whole team was buzzing from the experience!

So go on—take the leap! You’ll love coaching conversations that spark growth and bring out the best in your team. Let’s make work an adventure!

Check out these related posts:

Channel Your Inner Yoda: Unlock Coaching Power in Every Moment (3 min)

Unlock Your Potential: The Transformative Power of Leadership Coaching (2 min read)

Coach in Real Time: The Playful Power-Up Edition (2 min read)

 To your greater impact and well-being!

Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT

 Take the Next Step...
Interested in learning how to develop your organization's leadership capability, culture, and employee engagement? We begin with a collaborative discovery process identifying your unique needs and business issues. To request an interview with Peter Mclees please 

contact: Email: petercmclees@gmail.com  or  Mobile: 323-854-1713

Smart Development has an exceptional track record helping service providers, ports, sales teams, restaurants, stores, distribution centers, food production facilities, wealth management services, third-party maintenance providers, real estate services, nonprofits, government agencies and other businesses create a strong culture, leadership bench strength, coaching skills and the teamwork necessary for growth.

Having worked with several companies throughout their growth cycle, we have valuable insights and strategies that would help any late stage startup, small or medium sized company achieve sustained growth and prosperity.

Coach in Real Time—The Playful Power-Up Edition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who says coaching has to be stiff and serious? Real growth happens in the everyday hustle! Think of yourself as a coach who sprinkles wisdom like confetti throughout the day, not just during formal sit-downs. Let’s break down how to make coaching part of your team’s daily rhythm—and have some fun doing it.

·       Drop quick, positive nudges: Seize those teachable moments right after a team huddle or during a coffee break. Maybe someone just nailed a presentation—ask, “What felt different about today’s pitch?” Or if a challenge pops up, try, “How would you tackle this if you were the client?” A single uplifting question can spark reflection and set off a chain reaction of growth!

·       Give them a front-row seat: Bring teammates into the action! Let someone shadow you during a big client call. Say, “Keep an eye on how we negotiate pricing—take notes!” Afterward, grab five minutes to unpack what they noticed. These backstage passes turn into true learning when you talk it out together.

·       Build their dream team: You don’t have to be the only coach. Play matchmaker! Pair a new hire with a seasoned pro for a brainstorming session, or set up a quick intro to an expert in another department. Expanding their network boosts skills and confidence—and hey, everyone loves making new connections.

·       Let them take the lead: Sometimes, the best coaching move is stepping back. Cue up opportunities for your rising stars to shine—give them the reins on a project or let them present to leadership. Even if their next big adventure takes them beyond your team, championing their growth is what real coaching’s all about.

·       Coach in their natural habitat: Ditch your office! Head to the shop floor, join their sales call, or pop by their workspace or customer site. Ask, “How did you decide on that solution?” or “What would you try differently next time?” These in-the-moment questions draw out expertise and build judgment where it counts.

·       Be the example: Show up with curiosity, a growth mindset, and a willingness to own your mistakes. If you ask for feedback on your own work, your team will feel empowered to do the same. Remember, enthusiasm is contagious—so is a willingness to learn!

With these playful strategies, you’ll make coaching part of your team’s DNA—energizing everyone to level up, one small moment at a time.

 To your greater impact and well-being!

Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT

 Take the Next Step...
Interested in learning how to develop your organization's leadership capability, culture, and employee engagement? We begin with a collaborative discovery process identifying your unique needs and business issues. To request an interview with Peter Mclees please 

contact: Email: petercmclees@gmail.com  or  Mobile: 323-854-1713

Smart Development has an exceptional track record helping service providers, ports, sales teams, restaurants, stores, distribution centers, food production facilities, wealth management services, third-party maintenance providers, real estate services, nonprofits, government agencies and other businesses create a strong culture, leadership bench strength, coaching skills and the teamwork necessary for growth.

Having worked with several companies throughout their growth cycle, we have valuable insights and strategies that would help any late stage startup, small or medium sized company achieve sustained growth and prosperity.

 

 

Unlock Your Potential: The Transformative Power of Leadership Coaching

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Does Coaching Help?

Leading today isn’t just a job—it’s an adventure! In this wild world of business, where change happens faster than you can say “deadline,” everyone is juggling more tasks, less staff, tighter budgets, and higher expectations. This can lead to feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and helpless. 

Clients have shared with me that there are days where they feel like Sisyphus yes, that unlucky guy from Greek mythology who was doomed to push a boulder uphill, only for it to roll back down every single time. Imagine trying to carry your groceries up the stairs, and every step you take, your bags get heavier and the top floor gets farther away. That’s Sisyphus, in a nutshell: king of the “just when you think you’re done, surprise!” moments.

Coaching is like having a personal navigator and cheerleader rolled into one, ready to help you tackle any obstacle and thrive no matter how steep the climb. It’s a personalized journey that brings clarity, reveals what’s holding you back, and equips you with action steps to meet the ever growing demands of today’s VUCA world (Volatile. Uncertain. Complex. Ambiguous.) . 

Through thoughtful listening and thought-provoking questions, a coach helps you unlock your full potential and march confidently and competently toward your best future—no matter what life and work throw at you.

What’s Driving the Growth?

Why is coaching catching fire? Because it works—really, really well! Organizations and individuals are jumping on board because coaching delivers real results and sparks genuine change. The International Coaching Federation reports that 86 percent of organizations saw a real return on their coaching investment, and a whopping 96 percent of people who tried coaching would do it again. That’s a lot of happy campers!

Coaching brings both shiny, measurable wins and those magical, intangible boosts that make all the difference. On the tangible side: think bigger productivity, better performance, lower costs, more sales, and teams that stick around longer. On the intangible side: imagine growing your confidence, having smoother conversations, experiencing greater well-being, connecting with key players, advancing your career, and balancing work and life like a pro. When it comes to coaching, everyone wins—individuals and companies alike.

Why Is SMART Leadership Coaching So Effective?

A good coach is like a secret weapon, helping you get unstuck, shake up your thinking, discover new pathways, and unlock breakthrough results. Coaching is especially powerful when these five magic ingredients come together:

Awareness: It’s all about shining a spotlight on what’s helping—or maybe hindering—your growth. You can’t change what you don’t see, so raising your awareness is the first step to supercharging your progress.

Alignment: Coaching gets turbocharged when your personal goals line up with what your organization needs. It’s even better when your boss or HR is in on the action, giving you support, clarity, and a shared vision.

Action: Setting bold goals and crafting a written action plan is like drawing your treasure map. It helps you see where you are, where you’re heading, and how far you’ve come.

Accountability: The coaching process sets up built-in accountability. Your coach keeps you on track, checking in and cheering you on as you tackle each action step.

Acceleration: With clear goals, steadfast support, sharp focus, and an accountability partner, you’ll rocket toward results faster than you ever thought possible. Problems that stuck around for months (or years!) get solved quicker and better when a coach is in your corner. That’s the magic of coaching—full speed ahead!

Click here to read LinkedIn testimonials that prove the real impact of SMART Leadership Coaching!

Ready for more inspiration? Don’t miss these gems:

Post: Coaching is a Super Accelerant to Achieve Business Results (3 min)

Post: Why “Soft Skills” Deserve a Hard Look: Rethinking What Truly Powers Success

Ted Talk: Want to Get Great at Something? Get a Coach (16 min)

To your greater impact and well-being!

Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT

 Take the Next Step...
Interested in learning how to develop your organization's leadership capability, culture, and employee engagement? We begin with a collaborative discovery process identifying your unique needs and business issues. To request an interview with Peter Mclees please 

contact: Email: petercmclees@gmail.com  or  Mobile: 323-854-1713

Smart Development has an exceptional track record helping service providers, ports, sales teams, restaurants, stores, distribution centers, food production facilities, wealth management services, third-party maintenance providers, real estate services, nonprofits, government agencies and other businesses create a strong culture, leadership bench strength, coaching skills and the teamwork necessary for growth.

Having worked with several companies throughout their growth cycle, we have valuable insights and strategies that would help any late stage startup, small or medium sized company achieve sustained growth and prosperity.

 

 

Unlock Your Best Life: The Pursuit of True Happiness Starts Now!

  

 

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson declared life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as our inalienable rights. And hey, we’ve come a long way! Today, we don’t just have life and some freedom—our liberty would blow the minds of our ancestors during the Dark Ages. We’re talking not just about breaking free from tyrants and feudal lords, but also escaping the days of endless, grueling labor.

We've had worker protections, more freedom to choose our paths, and we were protected from many sorts of injustices and illnesses that used to be a constant threat. High five to progress! 

But happiness? That one’s a wild ride. Jefferson was clever enough to say our right is to chase happiness—not just magically receive it. It can be slippery, especially Level Three happiness—think of it as the “boss level” in the game of life.

Let’s break this down Nettle-style. Daniel Nettle, a British psychology lecturer and author extraordinaire, says happiness comes in three levels. Level One is quick and easy—it's the joy of watching a hilarious movie, hitting a hole-in-one, soaking up the sun on vacation, or chowing down with friends and family. It’s instant gratification, like finding a $20 bill in your old jeans. You hit Level One every time you’re having fun.

Level Two is a bit more brainy. It’s all about how you judge your life. Are you satisfied? Do your highs outweigh your lows? If you’re nodding yes, congrats—you’re riding Level Two, feeling a general sense of well-being. It’s like looking at the scoreboard after the game and feeling pretty darn good about your stats.

Level Three, though, is the grand finale. You hit this level when you feel like you’re really thriving—living your best life, fulfilling your potential. This isn’t just any life; it’s the high-quality, “top shelf” version. So, what does that mean?

If you’re confused, don’t worry. Even Louis Armstrong couldn’t define Jazz—“Man, if you gotta ask, you’ll never know.” It’s kind of like that. But here’s what we do know: a top-notch life isn’t just about stacking cash.

Don’t get me wrong—money matters. It decides your zip code, your kids’ schools, the quality of your doctor, and whether your lawyer is a rock star or just learning the ropes. Money brings comfort, more choices, and less stress. But let’s be real: it can’t buy true love, genuine friendship, or instant wisdom. It won’t magically fix everything, and it sure won’t make you more generous or solve all your worries. People imagine money is a superhero. It’s not.

Money doesn’t change you—it puts the spotlight on who you already are. As Larry Winget said, “If Kardi B, Justin Bieber, and Kylie Jenner weren’t rich, they’d still be acting entitled and unhinged—just at Wal-Mart instead of Rodeo Drive.”

You just wouldn’t see it on TMZ!” So, if you’re a great person, money highlights that. If you’re not—well, you get more attention.

So, what sparks high-level happiness if it’s not just the cash? Mark Skousen breaks it down in EconoPower: The magic ingredients are:

1. Rewarding and honest work

2. Recreation (fun, fun, fun!)

3. Love and friendship

4. Spiritual growth

And guess what? None of these require a fat bank account. Sure, if you’re broke, your recreation might be hiking or reading instead of yachting or racehorse adventures—but joy is still joy!

For maybe the best explanation ever, Aristotle, way back in the day, said lasting happiness isn’t found in chasing pleasure, excitement, or profit. Sure, those things are fun, but they don’t stick. What really matters is living up to your potential, sticking to your values, and following your conscience. That’s “the good life”—and it leads to the kind of happiness that lasts (Nettle’s Level Three).

Following your conscience isn’t always easy. We all miss the mark sometimes. But isn’t it better to give your all to something meaningful, even if you stumble, than to ace something that doesn’t matter?

Like the wise man said, “You always know the right thing to do (unless you’re a sociopath!). The hard part is doing it.” So go out there, chase Level Three happiness, and have fun with it. You’ve got this!

Click here to read a related post: The Two Faces of Happiness: From Fleeting excitement to Lasting Well-Being

To your true happiness!

Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT

Take the Next Step...
Interested in learning how to develop your organization's leadership capability, culture, and employee engagement? We begin with a collaborative discovery process identifying your unique needs and business issues. To request an interview with Peter Mclees please 

contact: Email: petercmclees@gmail.com  or  Mobile: 323-854-1713

Smart Development has an exceptional track record helping service providers, ports, sales teams, restaurants, stores, distribution centers, food production facilities, wealth management services, energy and facilities services providers, real estate services, nonprofits, government agencies and other businesses create a strong culture, leadership bench strength, coaching skills and the teamwork necessary for growth.

Having worked with several companies throughout their growth cycle, we have valuable insights and strategies that would help any late stage startup, small or medium sized company achieve sustained growth and prosperity.