We can only truly know what we’ve personally experienced, but we can contemplate the reality of others.  

Every Veterans Day, I spend time learning and reflecting on those who served and continue to stand in harm’s way for the benefit of the rest of us. I naturally think of D-Day and the sacrifices that entailed, and I don’t just think of the battle, I think of the last meal troops had before the monumental invasion. Check out this “Tasting History” link about the powdered eggs at the last meal.  

Think of how hard anticipation can be. Worry can be so powerful, and eating during intense dread (especially eating powdered eggs) can be hard. This is the sort of thing I think about on Veterans Day. Service men and women aren’t just stepping into harm’s way; they accept the psychological challenges on the front and back end of such duties. It’s important to remember this on Veterans Day and to advocate for enhanced support for those who take on such heavy responsibilities for the benefit of our country. I’m so grateful to them.  

Both Veterans Day and Thanksgiving remind us to contemplate gratitude this month. But I believe the best life comes by adopting an “attitude of gratitude” daily.  

Want to Bring the Best People into Your Business?

Here are five simple reminders to incorporate that attitude into your daily life. Nothing earth-shattering here; you know all this already. But I appreciate positive reminders, and perhaps you do, too: 

1. Try to understand: When dealing with challenging clients or customers, take a moment to consider their perspective. This doesn’t mean excusing bad behavior, but understanding can lead to better solutions.

2. Recognize efforts, not just results: Acknowledge your team’s hard work, even when the outcome isn’t perfect. This encourages continuous improvement and boosts morale.

3. Communicate appreciation regularly: Don’t wait for annual reviews or special occasions. Make gratitude a part of your daily interactions.

4. Give back to your community: Engage in local initiatives or support causes that align with your values. This will not only help others but also reinforce your own sense of purpose and gratitude.

5. Mentor others: Share your knowledge and experiences with young people in the industry. This not only helps them but also reminds you of how far you’ve come.

At HireSmart, our focus is on appreciating the importance of our clients’ time. Life can be such a whirlwind, and there’s so much to do. We hear from so many business owners who can’t take a day off and whose daily grind is all-consuming. When we’re drowning in our vast “to-do ocean,” it’s hard to find much peace. It’s hard to live with that “attitude of gratitude.”  

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Our focus is on helping stressed owners and managers find a better mental place. The first step in that process is to identify what’s stressing you. If you could offload three tasks to someone else, could you find time to do more of what you enjoy, more of what fulfills you in your job? If you’re like me, it’s not necessarily the busyness that wears you down. You like to be productive! It’s the inability to escape the tiresome duties that eat up your days and pull you away from the good stuff about your job.  

That’s where we help. We hear your needs, help you identify an action plan, and then search on your behalf for three potential virtual employees who could take your time-consuming tasks off your plate. You interview all three, who have each passed through our extensive evaluation process. We then train that prospective hire for 40 hours on your industry and their duties with you. Twelve percent of our certification class participants don’t make this final cut, but this helps us ensure you have the right hire and is a key reason we have a 98-percent successful employee placement rate.  

“Geraldine has walked into our lives and completely upgraded our team’s core dynamic,” said one HireSmart client about their virtual employee (VE). “She is positive, self-motivated, communicative, and inquisitive. She takes the time to learn, to grow, and to really mold with our team. That is so important, not only to me as a leader, but to our team members. In a short time (six months), she has reshaped our thinking, helped our team to grow, and completely committed herself to our company’s values and mission. I truly couldn’t do it without her!” 

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I’m grateful for the opportunity to help clients improve their daily lives. I’d be grateful for the chance to talk with you to see if we can help you, too. Click here if that sounds good and pick a time to chat at your convenience.

Whether you do or don’t, thank you for reading this, and please take time to express gratitude and support for our nation’s veterans. We cannot fully understand the hardships they endure, not just in the heat of battle, but in the countless psychological stresses that come with giving up their personal comforts for the service of a greater cause. We should never be ignorant of this sacrifice. Those of us who haven’t served owe that to those who have — not just on Veterans Day, but every day.