I really like what the Harvard Medical School says about gratitude: a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives… As a result, gratitude also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals—whether to other people, nature, or a higher power1.
Paying attention with a mindset of gratitude grounds my #why and living #fullyalive. I have more energy and greater focus on what I have to contribute to the greater good. It takes so little time to experience the great benefits that it delivers.
This is part 2 of the 3-part series on Leading With Gratitude by Diana Gabriel, Certified Strengths Strategy Coach.
No question, gratitude is a perspective that forms your mindset and worldview. These act as beneficial foundations for a positive, value-based, purpose-driven life, both corporately and personally. The people around you benefit as well. But how, as a leader, can you grow this trait within you? How can the seeds, habits, and practices of gratitude get planted in your mind, and spirit?
A basic approach is to take stock of what you’ve been given. What skills have you acquired, what opportunities have come your way, what successes have you enjoyed, and what people have made your life better? In other words, deciding to focus on the positive aspects of your life is a primary step to being thankful. Take a few moments sometime during a day to jot down what you notice.
Taking note of and appreciate the small things you have and the little gains that came your way. It’s a perspective and a choice to find the things that can be celebrated in life. Take a look back in time, revisit the journey you’ve been on, and focus on the things that turned out to be blessings. Have you paused to be thankful? To foster a more positive perspective, when feeling stressed think of things to be thankful for, even if it seems insignificant or superficial such as, it’s a beautiful sunny day.
Recognizing the relative nature of things can also help develop a spirit of gratitude. You likely know of people who are burdened by things that don’t affect you. There are always tougher stories out there. Be grateful for the good fortune you have.
When this topic comes up with my coaching clients, we discuss the importance of identifying the people that lift your spirits. Are they grateful people? To feed your gratitude mindset, surround yourself with them. You’ll be surprised how their gratitude lifts your mindfulness of being grateful.
How are you growing your internal gratitude? An executive coach can put you on the right path and champion you along the way, helping you to train your brain to learn to look on the positive side of things. I’d love to help. You can reach me here and on LinkedIn.
1 https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier
Diana Gabriel, PPC
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