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“Creating Successful Leaders”

November 4, 2026 New Finding Gratitude (even when times are tough)

four people with backs to camera, arms around each other, standing in a row looking out over a valley at twilight
Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

I get it. It’s not always easy to feel grateful when life is difficult. You might be experiencing personal crises, or you may be troubled by the state of the world. Whatever the case, I’m here to tell you that there’s always a reason to be grateful. You just have to look for it.

I know this is easier said than done. At times, you might genuinely think there is little reason to feel or express gratitude. That’s fine, but I’d invite you to sit quietly with those feelings for a while. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by your emotions, start to be curious. Ask yourself what’s bogging you down the most, and if that “thing” went away, what would remain? What good parts of your life would be illuminated once the cloud has lifted?

There are several different ways to find and focus on gratitude. Some methods may resonate; others may not. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Create a Quiet Space

Sometimes, life moves so quickly that we forget to slow down, to breathe, to be still (even for a few minutes). Try setting aside a block of time every day for quiet contemplation. This could be in your car after work, in the morning when you first get up, or any other time when you can be alone with your thoughts. Then, you might try to meditate or reflect on gratitude, or journal about it, or make a list of three things that bring you joy. Use this quiet time as a bridge to gratitude.

Go Small

If things are overwhelming right now, you might find gratitude by “going small” and thinking about the little things in life that are going well in this moment. For example, instead of focusing on a family crisis or the latest political or economic turmoil, you might think about your home and how grateful you are for your comfortable couch, your warm bed, the books on your shelves. Or you might think about yourself and the incredible machine of your body. Are you able to go on walks? Do your hands allow you to draw or cook a meal or hug your loved ones? Consider what small things in life give you joy, peace, and/or satisfaction. Sometimes the “simple things” in our lives are actually miraculous and worthy of gratitude.

Contemplate Connections

I guarantee that you mean a lot to at least one person, if not dozens. You make an impact in others’ lives every day, whether you see it or not. It’s easy to take these connections for granted—your spouse, your children, your long-time friends, your co-workers, the people you casually bump into in your neighborhood or at the grocery store—but these are connections worth celebrating! Think about a connection that brings you joy (or has brought you joy lately) and channel your gratitude toward that.

Even if times are tough and gratitude seems difficult to grasp, I am certain you can find something (no matter how small) to be grateful for. In my own life, I have many reasons to feel gratitude: my family, my wonderful friends, my community, my travel. And, as I’m winding down my business, UXL, I feel profoundly grateful for all the support I’ve experienced from clients, blog readers, businesses, and my cheerleaders. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.

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October 21, 2026 Why Volunteer During Retirement

Over the past couple of years, I have been slowly winding down my business, UXL. Although officially stepping into retirement sometimes makes me feel disoriented or even a little sad, there are countless bright spots and opportunities that accompany retirement. One of those bright spots is having the time to amplify my volunteerism.

I have always enjoyed helping others. Whether volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, United Way, or Relay for Life, I find immense satisfaction in helping to make a difference. Volunteering also gives me the unique opportunity to connect with people from all backgrounds and walks of life. It has broadened my perspectives and helped me to learn more about the people in my community. Although the focus is on supporting others, volunteering has a way of also filling my cup and giving me energy and a sense of purpose.

Now, as a retiree, I can become even more active in my community. While some might dismiss retirees as lacking the physicality or energy to make meaningful contributions, I reject that stereotype. In fact, I think retirees can and should lead the way for volunteerism. This is a unique time in a person’s life—a time free of the daily nine to five grind. It’s fine, of course, for retirees to spend some of their free time playing golf or cozying up with a novel, but most people should also be able to make room for volunteerism.

Additionally, volunteering is a way to put your hard-earned skills to work. If you’ve built skills in leadership, organizing, communication, design, or fundraising over the years, why not apply those skills to community work? On the other side of the coin, volunteering can help you acquire new abilities and learn from people of different ages and backgrounds. You might discover a knack for something you never even knew you had!

Volunteering can also provide direction and purpose. In a world that sometimes feels overwhelming or even downright scary, it is easy to feel small and helpless. You might wonder if anything you do will actually make a difference. But instead of dwelling on these feelings, it’s helpful to get out the door and do something. Even if you only help one person while volunteering, that’s enough. For that one person, your actions meant the world. Besides, every meaningful change is made up of thousands (millions, even) of small, individual actions. Just like an ocean wave is comprised of countless water droplets, so too can small actions compound into a tidal wave of difference. This is what grassroots work is all about.

To me, retirees can lead the way when it comes to volunteerism. Apply whatever skills you have to the job, or pick up some new ones. Regardless, I hope to see you out there.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.

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October 7, 2026 Learning to Truly “See” Others

It’s easy to walk through life without truly seeing others. We get so caught up in our own lives, our own circles, that we often fail to see the people who are right in front of us—the cashier, the barista, the oil-change tech, the roofer, the mail carrier, the person behind the deli counter or bakery case. Whole communities of people often go unnoticed, supporting the lives of others through their work.

And then there are the people who are close to us, the co-workers we pass in the hallway, the family members with whom we share a dining table or the living room couch. We might notice these people in our daily lives, but how often do we truly see them? How well do we know them?

From my perspective, the world would be a better place if we all made an effort to see those around us in a meaningful way, to see their humanity. What if we paused to say hello and ask how someone’s day is going? And what if we truly listened to the answer, instead of rushing through the interaction? What if we stretched outside our comfort zones and dared to get to know people outside our usual circle? What if we started noticing the people who make our everyday lives possible?

Why take the time to see others?

Far too often, people fail to see the incredible network of people who support them. The hotel room is magically cleaned. The package is delivered. The bread is baked, packaged, and placed on the shelf. By acknowledging these people and systems, we can gain a greater appreciation for how much collaboration and coordination it takes to make the modern world function. You, too, are a part of this system (even as “only” a consumer/customer), and hopefully someone is appreciating your contributions!

Beyond this miracle of cooperation, learning to see others can increase our empathy, dissolve fears and prejudices, and build community. While that may sound lofty, it’s absolutely true. The more you interact with people outside of your typical network, the more you will expand your worldview. You’ll see that most people have more in common with you than you might have realized. They have families and friends, they have children and siblings, they have hobbies and special interests, they root for a particular sports team, they have dreams for the future. And you’ll probably also realize that most of us want the same things: security for our families, good food, laughter, close friends, moments of excitement and entertainment, a comfortable bed.

In short, seeing the humanity in others can help us be better neighbors and citizens. If we dare to lift our eyes to truly see the people in front of us, we can open ourselves to new worlds and perspectives. If more people made an intentional effort to see others, can you imagine how that might change the world for the better?

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.

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