With the holidays approaching, this is the perfect time of year to take a moment and reflect on all of the things we are grateful for. Being grateful may sound a bit trite, but it’s also the number one, hands down, fastest way to a more positive life. Gratitude can reduce stress, increase the amount of opportunities you see, and can help you have a more optimistic outlook in all aspects of your life. It’s easy to be grateful when things are going smoothly, but the life of an entrepreneur is not always a peaceful ride.
Acts of gratitude are selfless and done unconditionally. You can use gratitude as a private exercise of reflection or you can express your gratefulness to show people that they are appreciated: smile, show kindness, be patient, and listen to others.
If you don’t have a gratitude practice, consider starting one. Science has gotten involved in studying gratitude, especially in the field of positive psychology, and the benefits to health and well-being are enormous. It can benefit your business, too, when you show appreciation for business partners, employees, clients, and vendors.
Here are some easy ways to bring more gratitude into your work and life:
-Think of five clients you can send thank you notes to. You can write them by hand or send a greeting card with a thank you message.
-On your customer service email templates, add a line before the closing that says, “We appreciate your business.” It does make a difference.
-Quick, right now, think of five things you are grateful for and list them off the top of your head. After you’re done, you should feel a little bit happier than you did a few minutes ago. Use this tool after you feel a negative emotion to move you back into a positive space.
-Find part of your day that you don’t love, such as your commute to work. Change it to your gratitude commute, finding things along the way to be grateful for. You might be surprised how great you feel when you arrive at work.
-When life gets difficult, avoid complaining. Next time you feel frustrated, take a few deep breaths and focus on something positive. Staying positive will help you look at things more objectively, and you’ll see solutions rather than problems.
-Let your employees know that you’re grateful for the work they do for you. You can do this verbally, with a note, or with a gift. Taking every opportunity to build people up empowers the people around you.
When you practice gratitude, you can’t help but feel happy for the things you have in your life. Being grateful can have a massively positive effect on you, and on the success of your business. Try making a daily habit out of being grateful, and showing gratitude to those around you and watch what a huge role it plays in the success of your business and your personal life.
All of us at Abedian + Totlian wish you a Thanksgiving filled with happiness, warmth, gratitude, and joy!