Sunday Scaries Meet Your Match: Gratitude

The turkey has been eaten, the pie has been consumed for breakfast (more times than I’d like to admit), and the thanks have been given. Also, the obligatory tryptophan-induced nap was also had, as evidenced by this cover photo depicting a real-life nap by yours truly on Thanksgiving afternoon. 😊

As we move from Thanksgiving into Christmas, I’d like to challenge you to keep the gratitude going. Gratitude has a multitude of scientifically-supported benefits that impact you mentally and physically. From beating depression and the seasonal blues to improved sleep, lower anxiety, and a healthier heart, you have way more to gain from gratitude than entitlement. 

Who doesn’t want to walk through life with a smile?

I know I do, and I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who feel the same. As inspiration to your ongoing “Mission: Thanks,” here are all the things I have to be grateful for this holiday season. 

1. Gratitude for an Adventureful Life

🦃 It wouldn’t be “Angie’s list of gratitude” if it didn’t start out with heaps of thanks for the one who turns my life into a daring adventure—Jim Callen. 

From making sure No More Mondays happens every week to building websites, taking photographs, and making sure I’m fed and watered 😆, Jim is the backbone of my success. 

Thanks to him, both my life and your LinkedIn feed (and newsletters) are far from boring! 

Your life partner can power (or derail) your career more than you realize, so choose wisely. The one standing next to you may just be the key to your success. 

👉 Evaluate: Who supports you from behind the scenes?

2. Business (and Careers) are Better Shared

Building a business - or growing your career into executive leadership - is a monumental task, and I couldn't do it without an incredible support system of peers and colleagues. 

The very first thanks in this category goes to Kristen Peele, my remote assistant whom you can thank for getting this very email into your inbox like clockwork every Sunday afternoon. She brings creativity, fun, and friendship to our work together, and I’m grateful for that. 

I’m also blessed to be surrounded by a group of awesome coaches, from those currently enrolled in  Build Your Business and the Next Level Mastermind to the ones I get to meet while speaking at events. 

These people inspire and elevate me - they are my community, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! 

👉 Acknowledge: What special connections have you made through work or business?

3. Celebrating the Friends Who Are Family

👫 Where would we be without FRIENDS? From business brainstorming with Mark and Stephanie to mountain biking with my trail-loving crew to conquering peaks and CrossFit challenges—thank you! 

I’m surrounded by friends who support Jim and me when life is tough, celebrate big wins, and hang around through the mundane. You make every uphill battle worth it and every victory sweeter. Friends are indeed the family we choose.

👉 Recognize: Who lights up your day with a friendly smile?

4. A Heartfelt Thanks to Family

👨👩👧👦 Family—the ones who've known us forever. I happen to be pretty lucky in this department with unconditional love and unwavering support for me and my business - including those who tune into every single episode of No More Mondays (shoutout to Mom!). 

You make life and work profoundly richer; thank you for being my foundation. 

 PS: I can’t forget the furry ones who bring joy to every day! 🐕🐈

👉 Remember: Who could you easily take for granted but should be thankful for today - and every day?

5. Road Trip Revelations

🚗 This Thanksgiving brought an unexpected twist—a spontaneous road trip to Moab with our friend Mark! 

Mark is house-sitting for us while we head across the pond on Friday (teaser for the upcoming excitement that will be some very unique Sunday Scaries emails)! While en route from Boise back home to Colorado, we took a little detour to show off the majestic Arches National Park. 

It’s one of our favorite places, and we love to share it with the people we love. It also reminds me of the beauty of unplanned adventures and how important it is to venture down roads less traveled (with friends in tow)! 

👉 Reminisce: What's your most memorable spontaneous adventure?

6. Thank Yourself

Even in the hardest and most challenging years, we move forward. What have you achieved this year? The smallest of wins deserve praise, so don't forget to thank, respect, and give gratitude to yourself. 

2024 was a big year for me, and in ways I didn’t expect. 

From the personal growth and satisfaction that comes from leveling up new hobbies to stepping out and deciding it was time to stop playing small - and start getting on more stages, I am wrapping this year grateful for some incredible milestones - including a few coming our way in the next few days (teaser #2!). 

Whether you feel like me - buzzing with the momentum you’re carrying into the new year - or just grateful to have made it through another turn around the sun, good things happened to you this year. 

Be sure to remember and capture them! 

👉 Reflect: What have you accomplished this year? 

7. Remain Grateful All Year

Thinking about gratitude always makes me think of Tiny Tim, especially at this time of year. No matter his circumstances, he and the Cratchit family embodied a spirit of thankfulness. 

Embracing gratitude isn't just for Thanksgiving - or the holidays. 

Making it a daily practice can transform your outlook on life, enhance your relationships, and lead to greater overall happiness. 

Whether it's a quick note, a thoughtful gesture, or just taking a moment to reflect on the positive things in your life, take every bit of gratitude you can and be thankful for it every day. 

👉 Commit: How do you incorporate gratitude into your daily routine?

PS: I will consider my day successful if you end up watching a Muppet Christmas Carol because of tip #7. 

Here’s to embracing gratitude every day and carrying it with us throughout the week!

Your Friend and Coach,

Angie