Tap into the game-changing power of gratitude with one (or more!) of these three ideas.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I’m devoting today’s article to one of my favorite topics: gratitude.
Gratitude is about way more than just saying “thanks.”
When we’re grateful, we acknowledge and appreciate the good things in our lives, whether it’s a friend’s kindness, a beautiful sunset, or that first sip of morning coffee.
Gratitude helps us recognize seemingly ordinary moments for what they truly are: a profound connection to the world and the people around us.
Gratitude is a characteristic I see time and time again in the great leaders I know.
Leaders with an attitude of gratitude show their teams that they see and appreciate their hard work.
They create a culture where people feel valued, motivated, and connected to each other.
And they signal to others that nobody can go it alone, which gets people working together toward a common goal.
When you develop a mindset of gratitude, you gain a superpower that can transform everything.
Today, I want to help you develop that mindset by giving you three specific “challenges” you can try.
But first, we’ve got to take a closer look at why gratitude matters.
There’s a vast amount of scientific research showing the positive effects of gratitude, both at home and at work.
Being grateful can improve your sleep, minimize anxiety, and even be a “booster shot” for your closest relationships.
Gratitude is a powerful force in the workplace, too. Studies show it can reduce stress, boost productivity, and raise overall job satisfaction.
Unfortunately, this attitude of gratitude in the workplace is in short supply.
Being underappreciated at work is the number one reason people leave their jobs.
And leaders are a big part of the problem. According to a recent study, the more powerful a person is, the less likely they are to express gratitude.
But we can fix that!
Becoming more grateful isn’t particularly hard. It just takes a little intention. And to help, I’ve got three practical ways you can develop that gratitude mindset for yourself.
Find the one YOU want to try, and let’s make the world a more grateful place together!
1. Keep a daily gratitude journal
Every morning, I wake up and write down three things I’m grateful for. Sometimes they’re big blessings, like time with my grandkids. Sometimes, they’re simple things, like a peaceful rainy morning.
I’ve been doing this for years and years, and this habit has had a profound effect on me.
First, it helps me focus my attention on what I have. I find that I look for things to be grateful for throughout the day—to the point that gratitude is ingrained in my overall mindset.
Second, it reminds me just how much I need the people in my life. My family, friends, and coworkers show up on this list A LOT! As a result, I find that I often voice my appreciation to them and am more aware of how much they bless me.
And last but not least, it’s helpful in times of adversity. If I’m feeling discouraged, all I have to do is flip through a few days of my gratitude journal and see all the great things in my life. From there, I find it’s easier to reframe whatever situation I’m dealing with and move forward with a more positive outlook.
Your challenge:Keep a daily gratitude journal from now until Thanksgiving. Just write down three things you’re grateful for every day. I like using a real journal, but a note-taking app on your phone would work just as well.
2. Make a list of everyone who’s helped you
Jon Rahm is a world-class professional golfer and the current reigning Masters Champion.
He’s also a world-class human being, and I am so thankful to call him a friend.
Once, he made a remark I’ve never forgotten. He said, “They ought to teach gratitude in college!”
I was so struck by that statement that I asked him to unpack for me when he joined me on How Leaders Lead.
In response, he shared a simple but powerful exercise he has used to cultivate his own sense of gratitude.
“Start writing down a list of names of the people you’re thankful for, for helping you in life,” Jon says. “You will be absolutely shocked how long that list gets.”
This is a powerful exercise in humility, as you see all the people who’ve helped you get to where you are today. Gratitude keeps us humble, and with this exercise, you’ll have proof positive that none of us can go it alone.
Your challenge: Schedule thirty minutes on your calendar this week to try Jon’s exercise for yourself. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings as you watch your list of names grow.
3. Handwrite a thank-you note
A couple of years ago, I got a handwritten note in the mail. It was completely out of the blue, and it was from a guy named Jesse Cole.
Now, I didn’t know Jesse, but he sent this note just to thank me for the positive impact that my books had on his life and business.
I looked him up, and I learned he was the owner and creative force behind the incredibly successful Savannah Bananas baseball team.
I was so moved by his gesture that I had to give him a call and thank him! Jesse and I had a great chat, and I knew he needed to come on my podcastto share his insights and inspiration with my listeners.
It turns out, Jesse handwrites a thank-you note every day, and he has since 2016. It’s a source of joy for him, but he also does it because he believes people just don’t get enough recognition. (And I couldn’t agree more!)
He sent one of his many thank-you notes to his sophomore English teacher. She wrote him back, telling him that his note was the only handwritten letter she’d ever received in thirty years of teaching.
“I was so hurt by that,” Jesse said, and it strengthened his resolve to show more gratitude, noting that “if we can just thank one person a day, what an impact that would be!”
Your challenge: Handwrite a thank-you note this week. Yes, you could send an email (and that’s a good thing, too!), but there’s something even more powerful about the personal touch and care that a handwritten note conveys.
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That’s the thing about gratitude. It’s not just a mindset we keep to ourselves.
It overflows into expression, and we want others to know just how grateful we are.
That, in turn, creates a virtuous cycle. When you show your appreciation for someone, they start thinking about the people in their life that they want to thank.
As Cicero wisely said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
I hope you’ll create space to cultivate it for yourself and experience the transformative effect it offers, both for you and everyone around you.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! How do you regularly develop an attitude of gratitude? How does it impact your leadership?
Share your thoughts in the comments so I can learn from YOU!
Your Next Step
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