A Moment of Thankfulness

Practicing Appreciation When the Holidays Feel Hard

With Thanksgiving approaching, many people naturally reflect on gratitude. But for just as many, the holidays bring anxiety—stressful gatherings, political divides, and relatives whose communication style rubs you the wrong way. When emotions rise, relationships feel strained. At SagePresence, we teach appreciation as a practice, and it becomes even more powerful in moments like these.

Why Appreciation Matters When Stress Appears

Appreciation is not a cliché. It’s a skill that supports confident presence, leadership communication, and even the kinds of client engagement skills we coach in professional settings. When emotions run hot—whether during a high-stakes BD conversation or a tense family meal—appreciation helps you shift attention away from discomfort and toward connection.

A Personal Example: Appreciation in a Moment of Pain

Two weeks ago, I was out running when I tripped and dislocated my shoulder. The pain was intense, and I was furious with myself. But because I’ve practiced appreciation for more than 20 years, something remarkable happened. Within seconds, I found myself searching for something—anything—I could appreciate in the moment.

“Well,” I thought, “I’ll at least have a meaningful appreciation story to share.” As the evening went on, I interacted with my wife and several medical professionals. For seven hours, while my shoulder sat out of its socket, I used appreciation as a lifeline. I focused on every person helping me, appreciating their effort, their care, their presence. Each new moment, I asked: What can I appreciate right now?

This practice shifted my attention away from pain and toward purpose. It’s the same shift we encourage in presence coaching, AEC interview preparation, and client communication training—turning inward fear into outward connection.

Try the Practice Yourself This Week

If you expect a challenging holiday, appreciation can change how you show up. Let me demonstrate the practice in real time, the same way we apply it in storytelling for business or in leadership communication coaching.

I appreciate our clients.

It may sound predictable, but it’s deeply true. Our clients give our work meaning. Meaning requires change, and clients invite us into their organizations to create that change—supporting their teams, elevating their communication, sharpening their presence, and helping them move closer to the vision of the firm they want to be.

I appreciate our team.

The SagePresence team is extraordinary—talented, committed, generous, and aligned with our mission. They support each other and our clients with integrity and care. Their dedication strengthens every aspect of our presentation skills coaching, group presentation coaching, and business development training.

I appreciate our prospects.

Every prospect, whether we ultimately work together or not, helps us practice what we teach. Each conversation is a chance to refine confident presence, interview skills training for professionals, and the authentic human connection at the heart of professional services communication.

What Do You Appreciate Right Now?

This week, try speaking your appreciation out loud. Not just in your head—say it. Appreciation shifts your state, deepens connection, and eases tension. It works in family gatherings, in holiday stress, and in the high-pressure environments of AEC interview preparation and sales presentation coaching.

Take a moment today—right now if you can—and ask yourself: What can I appreciate in this moment? Let that answer change how you feel, how you show up, and how you connect with the people around you.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at SagePresence. May appreciation guide you into the moments ahead.