November: A Season to Remember, Reflect, and Strengthen

Dear TAGITM Members,

As we approach Thanksgiving, it’s the perfect time to pause and ask ourselves — what are you thankful for? Thanksgiving always starts with remembering. Remembering the people who helped us, the moments that shaped us, and the experiences that reminded us of what truly matters. Gratitude centers us, especially in a world where change continues to push us, stretch us, and sometimes overwhelm us.

A coaching moment I recently shared with my son seems fitting for this message. As we take time to reflect on the things that bring thankfulness, it can also open the door to the unwanted memories, the gaps, the mistakes, the things we wish we had done differently. But reflection isn’t meant to discourage us; it’s meant to sharpen us.

The only way we fix our weaknesses is to work on them.

If you don’t work on your weaknesses, will they suddenly improve the next time you show up for training?

We all know the answer. You must act if you want the result.

We all have weaknesses, but that is why we train. We train to get better. We train to improve. We train because progress requires intention. As we continue through this year, think back to the one thing you said you would accomplish for yourself or your team. How is it going? Who is your accountable partner? Are you leaning into the work, even on the days it feels uncomfortable?

Change is constant. The tools we use, the teams we lead, and the challenges we navigate are all shifting around us. The question is not whether change is happening, but how we respond to it. Growth lives in the space between reflection and action.

As we head into the holiday season, let’s not only be thankful for the journey, but also intentional about how we move forward. Let’s continue sharpening our strengths, strengthening beyond our weaknesses, and supporting one another as a community that embraces resilience, learning, and progress.

So, as you gather this season, keep stirring the pot of innovation, add a dash of gratitude, and serve up success with those around you.

 

– James O’Brien
TAGITM President