Having an attitude of gratitude can not only propel your personal goals but your professional development. With an appreciation for the moment you’re in, and acceptance of the challenges along the way, you’re more in tune to be a more effective leader for your team. Whether trying to solve a workplace issue or enjoy your job a little more, leveraging the power of gratitude can help engagement, productivity, profit, your social life, health and personal welfare.
Although “mindfulness” and “wellness” are buzzwords nowadays, the foundational intentions behind them are the strongest catalysts for change.
Anyone who’s trying to achieve their goals is busy. “The grind” can keep you up at night, well past office hours, and a bump in the road is easily registered as an obstacle – no matter how small. Though any time not concentrated on a project at hand might sound counterintuitive to getting it done, setting aside a moment during your day to pause and reflect will release the pressure that comes from moving at such a fast pace.
There’s a certain level of vulnerability that comes with this idea because you have to be willing to carry on through uncertainty. As Publilius Syrus wrote, “Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.” After over two years of global incertitude, people in the workforce have had to rise to the challenge that the pandemic has proposed. It wasn’t long before people became demoralized – between social distancing and lockdowns, goals at work didn’t seem important nor within reach anymore. So for most people, these recent years have initiated a total reset.
People who understand how to adapt rather than fear or fight against change have a greater disposition toward gratitude. Instead of becoming defensive or avoidant, people who lead with gratitude will listen better and accept incoming waves of change. And it can all come down to a mindset shift:
Instead of viewing tasks as something you “have to” do, approach them as something you “get to” do.
If you try this, you’ll probably begin to notice how privileged you are to be able to do what you do. You’ll be happier, too. Keeping sight of your intentions and acknowledging that struggles are learning opportunities can make space for the opportunity to better yourself as a leader. Plus, people who feel appreciated will work harder.
As the idea of practicing gratitude has gained traction in recent years, it has faced its share of backlash. Skeptics argue that gratitude is a self-indulgent mentality that breeds self-satisfaction and complacency with the status quo. But underneath this surface perspective, anyone who puts in the work to make this a priority in their daily routine will notice how much of an energizing force it truly is. The misconceptions overlook how it drives self-improvement, connectedness, humility and inspiration. With every new person who decides to give it a try, new evidence is emerging on just how powerful it is.
By nature, gratitude is a social emotion. It brings people together to collaborate on a collective purpose through what’s called social worth – the quantification of importance that people place on the changes they experience in their lives. This creates a cycle: when people practice gratitude, they are more creatively engaged, which makes them more productive, and this in turn makes them more grateful for what they do.
Outside the office building, a lifestyle rooted in gratitude can also improve your social connections. Simply acknowledging your appreciation for others can help cultivate friendships and romantic relationships cooperatively, benefiting both parties – there’s even scientific studies on how saying thanks can make you happier. Social interaction combined with gratitude is a recipe to improve your satisfaction with life. It’s worthwhile to invest in who you surround yourself with, and to make them feel appreciated in return. This experience has the ability to connect you to something larger outside of yourself – whether it be people, nature, aspirations or a higher power.
Gratitude is like a muscle that you can exercise in many ways. Here are some other suggestions we like to practice:
- Journaling
- Saying “thank you” more
- Celebrating wins – both big and small
- Meditating
- Taking the time to give back (volunteering, good deeds)
You can express gratitude however it feels right for you, applying it to the past (reliving positive memories and feeling thankful for what you have experienced), the present (not taking your fortune for granted) and the future (staying optimistic and open for what’s to come). The idea of gratitude can seem so simple that it’s easy to let it slip from your mind, but being intentional with where you direct your energy can propel you to be a better team member, leader, friend and person.
