Embracing Change: Resilience, Growth, and the Power of Intentional Choices
Josh Hatter’s journey has been one filled with pivotal moments, difficult decisions, and profound lessons - the kind of insights that can only come from navigating life’s toughest challenges. As CEO of Curated Vacation Properties, he’s experienced professional success, but his story goes beyond business. It’s a testament to resilience and transformation, a journey that listeners of the Thriving Changes podcast can deeply connect with.
Leaning Into Hard Decisions
“Growth and change require hard decisions,” says Josh. “But leaning into them is essential for transformation.”
A great example of this is Netflix's transformation from a DVD rental company to a global streaming giant.
In the early 2000s, Netflix primarily operated as a DVD-by-mail service. However, as digital streaming technology advanced, the company faced a hard decision: continue its existing, profitable DVD rental business or pivot to online streaming, an unproven and risky market. Reed Hastings, Netflix's CEO, leaned into the change despite pushback from investors and customers. This included discontinuing DVD rentals as the primary business, investing heavily in streaming technology, and later producing original content. The transition was difficult, with initial subscriber losses and financial risks, but it ultimately led to Netflix becoming one of the most influential entertainment companies in the world.
This case illustrates that growth and change require tough decisions but embracing them is key to long-term success and transformation.
Growth often starts with a leap of faith. Define what you want, weigh the risks, and take that first step. Even when it's uncomfortable, action creates momentum.
Finding Stability After Chaos
“When chaos is your norm,” Josh said, “a stable, happy life can feel unfamiliar - but it’s worth pursuing.”
Imagine a person who has spent years in a chaotic, high-conflict relationship or a stressful, unpredictable job. Over time, they become accustomed to instability, reacting to crises as their normal way of life. When they finally leave that situation - whether by ending the relationship, changing careers, or setting firm boundaries - they may initially feel uneasy or even restless in their newfound peace.
At first, stability might feel foreign - they might even seek out drama or question whether a calm, happy life is "too good to be true." However, over time, as they adjust to peace, emotional security, and consistent well-being, they realize that this new reality is not only worth pursuing but essential for their happiness and growth.
Create routines to bring structure into your life. Identify triggers that pull you back into chaos and celebrate the calm moments as milestones.
The Journey to Finding the Right Support
“Therapy is like finding the right doctor,” Josh shared. “It might take time to find someone you connect with, but it’s worth the effort.”
For many, starting therapy is a significant step toward healing and self-discovery. However, one of the biggest challenges is finding a therapist who truly understands you. Just like in medical care, the first professional you meet might not always be the best fit. Josh described his journey as a trial-and-error process—one that required patience, persistence, and a willingness to explore different options.
Too often, people become discouraged after an initial experience that doesn't meet their expectations. They may feel unheard, misunderstood, or simply not comfortable with the therapist’s approach. But this doesn’t mean therapy itself isn’t for them—it just means they haven’t yet found the right match.
Finding the right therapist is a deeply personal process. It involves considering factors like their therapeutic style, communication methods, and even personality. As Josh noted, don’t be afraid to "shop around" for the right therapist.
It's okay to ask questions, express concerns, and even switch therapists if needed. The goal is to find someone who makes you feel safe, validated, and truly seen.
Therapy is an investment in yourself, and like any worthwhile investment, it takes time.
Breaking Free from Survival Mode
Josh shared “Living paycheck to paycheck locks you in survival mode, making it hard to see beyond the day-to-day.”
Imagine Sarah, who works a full-time job but barely earns enough to cover her rent, groceries, and utilities. She has no savings and constantly worries about making it to the next payday. One month, her car breaks down, and the unexpected repair bill throws her entire budget into chaos.
Because she lives paycheck to paycheck, she can't afford to fix the car right away, which makes it difficult to get to work on time. Her boss starts getting frustrated, and she fears losing her job. The stress of this situation consumes her energy and focus, making it hard to plan for a better job or save money for emergencies.
This constant cycle of just trying to make it through the week keeps her in survival mode, preventing her from thinking about long-term goals like furthering her education or starting a side hustle to improve her financial situation.
Create a budget, build an emergency fund, and educate yourself on financial management. Allow yourself to dream beyond just getting by.
The Gift of Supporting Others
Josh shared his thoughts. “The greatest gift we can give is to be a source of support and care for someone else.”
David's coworker, Lisa, recently lost a close family member. She struggles to stay focused at work and often looks emotionally drained. Noticing her distress, David decides to step in quietly. He offers to take on a few of her tasks to lighten her load and regularly checks in to see how she's doing—not just about work but personally too.
One afternoon, he surprises her with coffee and invites her to lunch, simply to listen without judgment. Over time, Lisa feels less isolated and more able to cope, knowing that someone genuinely cares. David's empathy and willingness to be a source of comfort become a turning point in her healing process. His thoughtful actions, though seemingly small, have an invaluable impact on her well-being.
Volunteer, be present for friends and family, and perform small acts of kindness without expecting anything in return.
Trusting Others and Building Community
According to Josh, “Surround yourself with people who genuinely care, and they’ll help you get through the toughest days.”
After losing his job unexpectedly, Mark was overwhelmed with stress and self-doubt. His bills were piling up, and he felt like a failure. Despite his urge to isolate himself, his friends and family rallied around him.
His best friend, Jason, helped him rewrite his résumé and practice for job interviews. His sister regularly dropped off home-cooked meals to ease his financial burden. Another friend, Rachel, checked in daily, offering encouragement and reminding him of his strengths.
Their unwavering support lifted Mark's spirits and gave him the confidence to keep applying for new positions. Within a couple of months, he landed a better job than the one he had lost. Looking back, Mark realized that it was the people who genuinely cared about him that helped him push through one of the hardest times in his life.
Assess your circle, seek positive communities, and choose relationships based on mutual care and respect.
Never Giving Up on Big Dreams
Josh shared with conviction. “Never give up,” he said. “Allow yourself to dream and break free from the cycle of doing what you’ve always done.”
He described how pursuing big dreams had required big changes but had led to profound satisfaction. It reminded me of Jake. After failing his first two attempts at launching a business, Jake was feeling discouraged. But a voice inside him kept telling him to not give up. He approached a mentor for support who helped him create a new strategy for his business. Jake decided to change his approach. Instead of repeating the same mistakes, he took time to learn new strategies and refined his business plan.
A year later, his startup thrived, proving that persistence and innovation truly make a difference.
Visualize your dreams, set milestones, and embrace failure as a learning opportunity.
Conclusion
Life is filled with challenges and changes, but how we navigate them defines who we become. My conversation with Josh Hatter on Thriving Changes reminds us that resilience, intentionality, and community are key to thriving amidst adversity. By leaning into hard decisions, rewiring our mindsets, and building supportive relationships, we can transform our lives and help others do the same.
