“When I Think of You, I Give Thanks: The Hidden Power of Doing It Right” A Stan Hustad Thanksgiving Reflection from What It Takes Radio

As Thanksgiving week arrives, What It Takes Radio brings forward another thoughtful, 10-minute conversation from veteran broadcaster and business performance coach Stan Hustad—a message wrapped in gratitude, wisdom, a touch of humor, and a powerful challenge to do it right in life and business

In this Thanksgiving meditation—part encouragement, part coaching moment—Stan reminds listeners that this season isn’t just about turkey and tradition. It’s about relationships, gratitude, and the courage to live and work with intentional excellence.

A Summary That Stands on Its Own

In “When I Think of You, I Give Thanks,” Stan Hustad gently but firmly calls his listeners into a deeper way of living in the fast-paced performance economy. He speaks candidly as an entrepreneur, missionary, mentor, and world-traveled communicator who has helped build projects, organizations, and creative ventures around the world.

But on this holiday week, he narrows the focus to something more intimate and far more important:

Don’t just do it. Do it right.

Do the right thing.

Do it in the right way.

Do it for the right people.

So the right outcomes have a chance to appear.

Stan notes that we are now fully immersed in a microphone world—a performance economy where influence, leadership, persuasion, and storytelling travel first through the ear and the screen, long before paper. If you want your business, your cause, your ministry, your mission, or your message to succeed, you must learn to perform, present, and communicate with clarity and heart.

But this isn’t merely a business message. It’s deeply human.

Stan calls Thanksgiving his favorite holiday—not because of the food or football, but because a thankful heart is rarely a fearful heart. Gratitude, he says, is the foundation of flourishing. It is the antidote to anxiety, resentment, and weariness.

He invites us to approach the close of the year—through Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and even the coming New Year—with a posture of renewal, fresh beginnings, and a commitment to “do it right” in every part of life.

 

And then comes his signature coaching challenge:

Clear your calendar the day before Thanksgiving.

Pick up the phone.

Call the people who matter.

Say, “Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I just wanted you to know I’m thankful for you.”

Simple. Rare. Beautiful. And guaranteed to make a difference.

Things to Remember

• A grateful heart is seldom a fearful heart.

• Doing it right matters more than just doing it.

• You live in a performance economy. If you want to succeed, you must learn to present, perform, and communicate.

• New beginnings are always available.

• Influence flows through the microphone. Your voice and message matter—use them well.

Things to Share with Others

• A simple phone call of gratitude can strengthen relationships for years.

• Everyone—from business partners to family members—needs encouragement more than we realize.

• Thanksgiving is not an event; it’s a lifelong posture of appreciation.

Things to Take Note Of

• Are there places in your life where you’ve been “just doing it” rather than doing it right?

• Which relationships have shaped, supported, or inspired you this year?

• What message, story, or idea should you be sharing more boldly in your business or personal calling?

Things to Act Upon

1. Make five Thanksgiving calls—clients, colleagues, family, friends.

2. Pick one area of your life or work where you will “do it right” starting this week.

3. Recommit to flourishing—not surviving but thriving in faith, hope, love, and purposeful communication.

4. Start your performance journey—podcasting, broadcasting, storytelling, or speaking—because your message matters.

5. Reach out to Stan for coaching, guidance, or media mentorship: [e-mail]

A Warm Thanksgiving Call to Action

This Thanksgiving, Stan invites all of us to pause, breathe, and remember that gratitude is not seasonal—it’s transformational. When we give thanks for the people who enrich our lives, we unlock joy, courage, creativity, and connection.

So this year, don’t just celebrate the holiday.

Live the holiday.

Give thanks boldly.

Love generously.

And as Stan says—

Do it, but this time… do it right.

Blessings, gratitude, and flourishing to you today and always.