The quickest and shortest way to a more successful life?

Realizing how great your life already is!

Gratitude is a secret super power you can leverage in startups and beyond.

Even when startups are really hard, there’s still so much to be grateful for!

Any of these resonate with you?? What else should be on the list? What are you grateful for this year? (Here’s mine w/📸!)

1. Your customers!!!!!!!!

Not possible without them. Even — or especially — when they’re mad.

2. Revenue 💰💰💰

Every dollar matters. Especially early on.

Extra, extra, extra grateful for cash flow positive.

3. The gift of feedback

It can be hard in the moment but if you take a step back, feedback means that someone (whether customer, advisor, investor, employee):

• cares

• believes in you

• sees even greater potential

4. The people who believed in you early on.

Angel investors, early employees, first customers. Those who took a chance on you — before it was a thing — have a special place in your heart forever.

5. Finding your startup better half.

That key person who loves doing what you suck at. Co-founder, COO, future COO, or world-class intern.

6. Tax strategies and other free money.

Non-dilutive grants, free website design, the legal advice that saved you thousands, deal negotiation advice, and, of course, conference swag. 😉😜😂

Small moments with big impact add up.

7. Your squad, tribe, team, people.

Partner, founder friends, non-founder friends, employees, advisors, coaches.

The people who join you for late nights, support your insanity, make you shut your laptop, ask the question that unlocks everything, and most importantly, care about you no matter how your startup is doing.

Here’s 5 free ways to show gratitude or go wild with something off this year’s gift guide. 😉

8. The founders who came before you.

It’s never been less awkward to say you’re an entrepreneur at Thanksgiving dinner!

From historical figures and How I Built This idols to the entrepreneurial family members and local founders who pay it forward → thank you for blazing the trail!

9. Sleep

No one ever gets enough but OMG are we grateful for whatever we get!

The power of a good night’s sleep is incredible:

• Fresh ideas

• Clearer outlook

• More optimism

• Better health

10. Being able to found a company.

Financial, social, political freedom. Having life circumstances that make it possible.

Even when startups feel really, really hard, it’s a privilege to pursue the work, dream, and meaning of building a company.

Bonus: Time off.

Here’s my favorite before-the-holidays wisdom from Alex Friedman:

Idk who needs this but I’ve seen a few startups fail because of founder burn out. I haven’t seen any startups fail because a founder took a couple days off.

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!