Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of year. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and soak in gratitude for the wins we’ve had, the lessons we’ve learned, and the people who’ve been part of our journey.

When you run a business, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and lose sight of the deeper reasons we started in the first place. We think about growth, revenue, and the next challenge on our plate, but what about the bigger picture? What about the why behind it all?

For me, that reason boils down to two things: impact and legacy. Impact is the difference your business makes today; legacy is the mark it leaves tomorrow. Together, they define not just what you do, but why it matters.

This Thanksgiving, I want to challenge you to think about your business in terms of both gratitude and legacy. Gratitude for the opportunities you’ve created and legacy for the lives you’ll touch long after the holiday dishes are done. Using some principles from Fix This Next, let’s explore how to align your business with both.

Step 1: Start with gratitude

Before diving into strategy, reflect on what you’re most thankful for in your business. Gratitude anchors us and reminds us why we’re doing the work. What opportunities has your business created? Who has supported you on this journey?

Fix This Next tip: Begin with your Core Needs. These are the foundational elements of your business, like sales, profit, and order. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure, take a moment to evaluate which core need is thriving and which could use improvement. Gratitude grows when you have clarity about what’s working.

Write down three things you’re thankful for in your business. This simple act will help you see your work with fresh eyes.

Step 2: Clarify Your impact

Impact is about the lives your business touches in the here and now. Who are you serving, and how are you helping them?

For example, a local bookstore isn’t just selling books—it’s building a sense of community. A web designer isn’t just creating websites—they’re giving clients a way to connect with their audience.

Fix This Next tip: Use the Business Priority Pyramid to evaluate your impact. Impact lives in the higher levels of the hierarchy, specifically under “Legacy.” Ask yourself:

• Is my business making a lasting difference for my customers?
• Am I creating systems that allow me to deliver this impact consistently?

When you understand your current impact, you can deepen it intentionally.

Step 3: Build a legacy with intention

Legacy is a long game. It’s about how your business will live on in the future – through the people it serves, the systems it leaves behind, and the values it upholds.

Fix This Next tip: Evaluate the Give Stage of your business. This is where you ask, “Am I giving more than I take?” A legacy-driven business focuses on enriching others’ lives, whether through mentorship, community involvement, or simply delivering value with heart.

Ask yourself:

• What values do I want my business to stand for?
• How can I make decisions today that reflect those values tomorrow?

Your legacy might be creating jobs, leaving behind a systemized business, or mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs. Keep that vision close as you plan.

Step 4: Use gratitude to guide decisions

Gratitude isn’t just a feeling, it’s a strategy. When you operate from a place of gratitude, it shapes the way you interact with your team, customers, and community.

Fix This Next tip: Focus on the Order Stage to streamline your business. Gratitude thrives when your systems are in place, freeing you to focus on relationships instead of firefighting problems. Build systems that honor the people who depend on your business: your employees, partners, and clients.

Actionable steps:

• Recognize and celebrate your team’s efforts.
• Thank your customers in meaningful ways, whether through a handwritten note or a small token of appreciation.
• Commit to improving processes that make life easier for everyone.

Gratitude fuels trust, and trust builds relationships that endure.

Step 5: Stay focused on people

At the heart of every great business is people. The customers who believe in you. The team who shows up every day. The mentors, family, and friends who cheer you on.

Fix This Next tip: Revisit the Sales Stage of the hierarchy. Sales are more than numbers—they represent people saying “yes” to your business. Take a moment to consider the relationships behind those sales. Are you nurturing them, or just chasing the next transaction?

Actionable steps:

• Call a loyal customer and thank them for their support.
• Highlight your team’s contributions in a public way.
• Reflect on how you can create stronger, more genuine connections.

Gratitude and legacy in action

Building a business with impact and legacy isn’t just about strategy—it’s about heart. Gratitude reminds us of how far we’ve come, while legacy inspires us to think about the difference we’ll make long after we’re gone.

This Thanksgiving, take a moment to reflect on your journey. Consider the impact you’re making today and the legacy you want to leave tomorrow. Use the tools from Fix This Next to guide you one step at a time.

When gratitude leads the way, your business becomes more than a source of profit. It becomes a source of purpose, connection, and lasting change.

By the way, I am grateful for you, the work you do, and for being on this journey with you. 

With thanks.

-Mike