November marks the anniversary of when I left my tech job in 2013 to start my first business, as well as when I sold it five years later. It’s been an incredible journey, as I’ve gone from employee to entrepreneur to semi-retirement! Each step along the way was a new learning, full of mistakes and challenges, and helped me expand my comfort zone and grow into a better version of me.

Looking back, there are so many things I’m grateful from this journey. Here are a few:

  • I’m grateful for the freedom and independence that comes from being my own boss. I can pick when I work, where I work, and what I work on. I can run my business in ten hours per week, and spend the rest of my time on personal growth. I can have #MyKindOfMonday anytime I want, from partying on a cruise ship to hiking in the Canadian Rockies to spending time with my aging parents, while many people are stuck in the grind.
  • I’m thankful for the pride and purpose of my work. This was both true when I had 25 employees to support, as well as now when I’m giving back to teach other would-be entrepreneurs. I tried to find that in a giant tech company, but it was always squashed by corporate politics.
  • I appreciate that I’m free from bureaucracy, bad bosses, and bullsh*t. I control who I spend my time with, and I have so much less unnecessary stress.
  • I’m grateful for the mistakes I’ve made that have led me to this place. By being willing to take risks and try, I was able to learn and grow. Sure, I fell down many times, but I picked myself up every time, and expanded my comfort zone and expertise. Now I’m much more resilient and secure.
  • I love that I never stop learning from consuming books, blogs articles, podcasts and audio books about business and personal growth. I’ve learned to be a better leader, a better business owner, a better writer, and a better person.
  • I’m thankful for the career growth. I hit the corporate ceiling in my old job, where there weren’t many positions above me open, and I’d have to fight tooth and nail to get one. I witnessed the executives who worked 60-80 hours per week and then became burned out alcoholics. As an entrepreneur I jumped right to CEO, but on my own terms. Before you call out bull (which it was at the beginning), it’s a self-taught role that I grew into. Now I have no problem making quick business decisions, leading my team, networking, or geting executive level work done. I would have no problem to get an executive position at another company, if I wanted to.
  • Most of all, I love that I’m happy — happier than I’ve ever been in my life! Through meditation and mindfulness, I’ve exorcised my nagging inner voice, and replaced it with a supportive cheerleader. I’ve gone from insecure to inspired, and rid myself of decades of unnecessary baggage. I have found true success, in my heart and soul.

We learn and grow and change every year. What are you thankful for from the past year? If you haven’t explored business ownership for yourself, maybe next year is the year for you! It is never too late to start!