By Britt Yenser
As HETMA embarks on the #Roadto10K, this journey is about more than just growing our numbers—it’s about supporting the personal and professional growth of each member. Every month, we’ll explore a new theme centered on reflection, growth, mental health, and confidence. If the themes ever feel overwhelming, this column will offer them in small, approachable steps to help you engage at your own pace.
November’s theme is:
Pit stop: Grounded GRATITUDE
Set a tone of Thanksgiving. Reflect on what’s working both professionally and personally, Appreciate the small wins and reinforce positive habits.
As the season of Thanksgiving approaches, it’s the perfect time to slow down, take a breath, and reflect on what’s working—both professionally and personally. Gratitude has a way of grounding us, helping us see the small wins and the progress we might otherwise overlook in the rush of everyday life.
When I’m asked to reflect or unpack something, my brain immediately goes to structure: How do I organize this information? For this month’s prompt, I instantly pictured a T-chart or a set of boxes—individual spaces where I could jot down “what’s working” across different areas of life: professional, personal, wins, and positive habits.
The phrase “positive reinforcement of habits” felt a little abstract to me at first. So, I reframed it into something more tangible—statements like “I like that I…” or “I feel good when I…” That language made the exercise feel more personal and approachable, turning abstract ideas into moments of real self-recognition.
Once the structure was in place, I gave myself some gentle parameters. Even with boxes or columns ready to go, I knew I’d need a goal to stay focused. Something simple, like “I’ll list at least eight things in each box.” You can choose any number that feels right to you—the point isn’t how many you list, but that you give yourself time to notice and name what’s going well.
After filling out each section, I’d take a moment to reflect:
- What words or phrases stand out?
- Do any themes repeat themselves?
- Am I surprised by anything I wrote down? If so, why?
And since this prompt centers around appreciation and reinforcement, I’d end the exercise by completing one final sentence:
“I am deserving of…”
That statement, simple as it is, helps me acknowledge that the good things in my life—whether they’re achievements, relationships, or routines—didn’t appear by accident. They came from effort, intention, and growth.
To make this reflection a little more fun, I created a visual template you can use if you’d like to try it yourself—a cute, organized way to capture what’s working and what you’re grateful for this month.
As you pause for your own moment of grounded gratitude, I hope you feel the calm joy that comes with recognizing how far you’ve come and how much good surrounds you. Here’s to the happiness, peace, and warmth that gratitude brings—this month and always.
