Built Not Born Podcast · 15 December 2023
Being Grateful: A Glass Half Full Mindset in Business and Life
A Christmas reflection on gratitude, positive thinking, business setbacks, relationships and giving yourself credit for how far you have come.
Episode guide
About this episode
As Christmas approaches, Chris and Helen use this episode to reflect on gratitude and the value of becoming more of a glass half full person. The conversation starts from a documentary they watched about David Holmes, the stunt performer who worked on the Harry Potter films and experienced a life-changing accident. What stays with Chris is Holmes's positive outlook and his apparent refusal to let anger define what came next. It becomes a starting point for a wider discussion about perspective when circumstances are difficult.
That idea carries into business. Chris describes organisations as machines made up of many cogs, where the visible people are only part of what makes the whole thing work. From cleaners and catering teams to runners and technical crew, every person can affect the final result. For Chris and Helen, the lesson is to value the people whose contribution is easy to overlook, because a company becomes weaker when any important part of the operation is taken for granted.
They also talk about how quickly a difficult period can make everything feel negative. Business problems, friendships changing, unexpected family worries and the wider uncertainty that followed the pandemic can all colour how a year is remembered. Their point is not that every problem has a simple positive side. Instead, they discuss trying to find something useful in the experience, whether that is learning, a clearer sense of priorities or the confidence to choose a different direction.
The episode becomes more personal as Chris and Helen reflect on what they are grateful for in 2023. They talk about their relationship, the support of friends and family, improving their health routines, spending more time together as a family and reducing weekend work. They also recognise the value of having people they can call when things are difficult, rather than maintaining the appearance that everything is always fine.
There is also a business reflection. The year included launching the podcast and continuing to shape their video business, while learning that both projects needed clearer direction. They acknowledge that their plans are still evolving, but they are increasingly thinking about what they want their businesses to give them, rather than simply staying busy. That shift towards intentional choices is part of the wider theme of appreciating progress while still being honest about what needs to change.
The final message is simple: give yourself some credit for making it through the year. Chris and Helen encourage listeners to reflect on what has gone well, enjoy time with the people who matter and avoid measuring Christmas or success only by what can be bought. If life or business is not where it needs to be yet, the next step can still be small. Progress starts with recognising the situation clearly and moving forward from there.
Key takeaways
What you'll learn
- Gratitude can help put difficult business and personal situations into perspective without pretending the hard parts do not exist.
- Reflecting on progress matters because founders can become so focused on the next problem that they overlook what has already gone well.
- Every role in a business contributes to the wider result, so appreciation should extend beyond the most visible people.
- Supportive relationships matter when things are difficult, especially when people feel able to say they are not okay and talk honestly.
- A setback, change of direction or business closure is not automatically a failure. Context matters, and it may represent a deliberate next chapter.
- Making time for family, health and life outside work can be part of defining what success actually means.
Questions from this episode
Frequently asked questions
Why can gratitude matter when running a business?
Chris and Helen discuss gratitude as a way to keep difficult periods in perspective. It can help business owners recognise progress, appreciate the people contributing around them and avoid allowing one setback to define the whole picture.
How do Chris and Helen suggest dealing with difficult periods?
They talk about allowing space for the difficult moment, then reflecting on what can be learned, speaking openly with trusted friends or family and looking for the next useful step forward.
Why is year-end reflection useful for business owners?
The episode highlights how easy it is to move straight from one goal or problem to the next. Looking back can reveal achievements, changes in priorities and decisions that might otherwise be overlooked.
What role do friendships and support networks play in business life?
Chris and Helen value relationships where people can be honest when they are struggling. They see trusted friends and family as an important source of perspective, support and space to talk through problems.