Are you ready for some football? It’s Thanksgiving week! That time of year we load up on lots of food and family time. It’s also a time we give thanks and be grateful for all that we have been given.
This weekend a mentor shared with me that people who exhibit an attitude of gratitude are happier.
A study was done with successful marriages and it showed that couples who say “Thank you” have happier marriages.
People who are grateful have better health.
People who are thankful are more forgiving.
People who are more successful tend to have a greater attitude of gratitude as well.
Guess where gratitude is given the least. The Work Place! Two words that can change a culture! Be it home, relationships, or work! THANK YOU!
In a recent survey of 2000 Americans, 60% of those surveyed say they don’t say thank you at work and if they do it’s only once a year!
But here is the messed up wacked out part about it. Almost all those surveyed said they feel happier and more fulfilled when they do say thank you! Wait a second. 60% say they don’t say thank you but when they do they feel happier!
After reading this survey I did my own assessment! I had to look no further than my own email box. A folder in my email box I have actually saved every Thank you email I have ever received. ( A mentor said to me, it’s a good idea to have a gratitude box for those times when life is dealing you lemons.)
Then I took it a step further and reviewed purchases I have made over the course of my life. Guess what? I can count the actual amount of Thank you cards I have received on two hands. Guess what feeling was generated every time I received either a thank you email or card? A good one! A feeling of appreciation!
So if having an attitude of gratitude can make a difference, how can we do it more often?
- One realize that saying thank you doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. It simply takes a little effort.
- Remember that everyone likes to be appreciated from your child, to your spouse, to the janitor, to your coworkers to your customers.
- Don’t use “I don’t have the time” as an excuse! We all have the time. The question is how can we make it a priority?
- Be the change you want to see. Sure you can say no one at my work gives thanks it’s expected to “just do your job” because if you don’t you might not have one. I say if you want your environment to change. Be the change you wish to see. Be the fuel that starts “the being thankful engine!”
- Invest 2 minutes a day to write someone an email or card to say thank you. You may be surprised of how good you feel by doing this simple act not to mention the positive effects it will have on the person who receives your card/email.
- Be thankful for the “crap” that happens. I remember once when I went out to my car and to my dismay my tire was nearly flat. I immediately brought it to the nearest tire store. The clerk said to me, “You are really lucky that you weren’t on the interstate with this tire, it could have been ugly.” Even though I was not happy that I had a flat tire, he was right it could have been worse. An attitude of gratitude was warranted.
Finally, gratitude is a vehicle to diffuse self-pity and self-centeredness, increase feelings of well-being, and prompt mindful awareness of that which is beyond oneself—of belonging to a greater whole, and of connection to others, as well as to the world.
There are no guarantees of anything and we can take nothing for granted in this life. Every day is a gift; every breath is a gift. What we do with them is a choice.
Thank you for investing your time to read this article. Thank you for your follows, your views, your shares, your likes (the thumb) and comments. I do hope you found value in it!
Equip, Educate, Empower, and Encourage others to become better leaders!
Tony Jalan
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About Tony Jalan
Tony currently oversees a multi million dollar producing sales division for Heartland Payment Systems, a Fortune 1000 company. With over 18 years of sales and leadership experience he has employed the many lessons he has learned from his mentors to transform under-performing sales teams into top performing sales teams. The foundational principles he leads by is Attitude, Accountability and Activity. For more information connect with him or send him a private message.