As we inch closer to Thanksgiving here in the U.S., it’s the perfect time to talk about one of the most powerful tools we have for managing stress: gratitude. Over the past week, I’ve had the chance to share this message with two very different audiences, and the impact has been incredible.
Rubber Chickens and Leadership Lessons at St. Elizabeth
First, I had the privilege of speaking to an amazing group of leaders at St. Elizabeth in Northern Kentucky. The audience was engaged, the energy was high, and yes—there were rubber chickens involved. One of the key takeaways from our time together was this:
“The best way to help others manage their stress is to manage yours.”
We also tackled one of the biggest “stress chickens” out there: Nasty Negative Nelly. Nelly represents optional stress—the kind we bring on ourselves by doomscrolling on social media, obsessing over 24/7 news media, or getting sucked into pointless arguments. Eliminating that optional stress is one of the most effective ways to lighten your load and keep those stress chickens from taking over.
A Conversation About Gratitude
A few days later, I sat down with Laurie Groh, host of the Wisconsin Wellness podcast, for a conversation about managing stress. We agreed that gratitude is a game-changer. It shifts your focus, reminds you of what matters most, and helps you let go of things you can’t control.
Especially during busy or stressful times, gratitude is like the oil that keeps the stress chicken fryer running smoothly.
Your Thanksgiving Challenge
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to reflect on gratitude. Who or what are you thankful for this year? Maybe it’s family, friends, a supportive team at work, or just the fact that you’ve made it through another year. Whatever it is, taking the time to appreciate it can make a huge difference.
Here’s my Thanksgiving challenge for you: write down one thing you’re grateful for every day between now and the end of November. It’s a simple practice, but you’ll be amazed at how it can shift your mindset—and make those stress chickens a little easier to fry.
Looking Ahead
December is shaping up to be a busy month! I’ll be speaking at:
- BA World Chicago: December 2: “Fry Your Chickens” keynote
- AI Symposium: December 3: Exploring the fast-changing world of AI
- PMBA Virtual Global Conference: December 14: Generative AI in action
- Private Event: December 15: We’ll be frying some chickens!
And don’t forget: Fry Your Chickens! Seven Ways to Get Those Chickens Inside You to Shut the Cluck Up is coming in 2025. Keep an eye out for sneak peeks (and maybe a few giveaways).
How about you? What “optional stress chicken” are you working on frying as the year winds down? Drop me a message or leave a comment—I’d love to hear from you.