I was thinking a lot about networking today as I worked on a project for the lawyers at my firm who are participants in our pipeline business development program where we meet monthly and discuss lead generation and client retention, as well as branding strategies. It’s open to lawyers of all levels – from the most junior to the most senior – proving that you are never too young or old to start building your book of business.

I put together some thoughts for them and an exercise for them designed to help them build their professional network, and I thought I would also share it with you in case it was helpful in expanding your networks too.

If you have never been let go from a job at some point during your career, consider yourself incredibly fortunate.

I recently wrote an article, “It’s Okay to Fail Sometimes – Your How-To Guide After Getting Fired or Let Go,” because a few friends of mine have recently lost their jobs and their news brought me back to the important lessons that I learned as a result of being let go myself. The article goes into what to do right after it happens and then the days and weeks afterwards. 

In our busy day-to-day lives, it’s easy to forget to take the time to be thankful for all that we have and all of those who helped us get there, but that is what the Thanksgiving holiday is all about, right? Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I wanted to reflect on some of the things for which I am most grateful over the past year. I encourage you to do the same – make a list of everything and everyone for which you are most thankful (you can do this for both your personal and professional lives). It can be really inspiring to take a step back and realize all of the wonderful bounty that you have in your life. Here are nine reasons why I’m thankful this year. Happy Thanksgiving!