The Thanksgiving decorations are packed away, and the house is clean and quiet. As I am enjoying the calm after the holiday weekend storm, I can’t help but think of the precious time spent with family and friends and all the things to be thankful for. And experiencing a heightened sense of well-being strengthens my belief that expressing gratitude should not be reserved only to Thanksgiving and special occasions. Being grateful and giving thanks should be top of mind and an ongoing practice all year long. Turning up at work with a holiday mindset can cause problems, except when it is a Thanksgiving mindset of giving thanks. Let’s extend the Thanksgiving Spirit and cultivate an attitude of gratitude all year round.
Robert Emmons, a professor of psychology at UC Davis and a gratitude researcher, defines gratitude as being thankful for the things we receive. It is a habit that enhances joy: https://vimeo.com/95882583.
In our daily life, we are often focused on achievement and getting more: more opportunities, more prestige, more money, and more “stuff.” Gratitude provides clarity about the good things in our life that we want to maintain and have more of in the future. It also provides clarity about what we don’t really need and the things we wish to have less of in the future.
As a career success strategy, an attitude of gratitude requires the following two practices:
Acknowledging what we are grateful for & expressing gratitude
Identifying where we can improve
It is important to recognize room for improvement; otherwise, gratitude and acceptance may result in complacency and stagnation.
Here’s a practical tool to express gratitude as well as cultivate a growth mindset:
First, take the time between now and the New Year to write down 100 things for which you are grateful.
As you review your list of things you are grateful for….
Think of 3 things you could do better in 2017 and act on them.
Identify 3 areas where you could raise the bar and set stretch goals for yourself.
Commit to learning and trying something new every month in the coming year.
May the feeling of gratitude live in our hearts all year round and may we always remain motivated to learn, grow and develop in our personal life and as professionals.
