Introduction
“What are you thankful for?” It is a question you have undoubtedly been asked countless times throughout the Thanksgiving season. And yet, it is a question we need to ask ourselves more. Even when we do take a moment to think about the things we are thankful for, do we really take the time to reflect on them? Leaders are often preoccupied with a multitude of responsibilities. It is difficult to manage these responsibilities and then to think, “I should slow down and reflect on what I am thankful for.” It is for this reason our Ethos team writes this article. We all need a reminder from time to time to slow down. Let this article be an encouragement to you to stop just for a moment to engage in a practice of gratitude.
The Practice of Gratitude
The practice of gratitude is a deep dive into thankfulness. Gratitude is more than just thinking about things you are thankful for; it is a reflection of why you are grateful. This reflection creates a meaningful experience with many benefits, such as optimism, positive influence on others, improved health, and life satisfaction. Our team invites you to work through questions for reflection that will put you in a prime position to experience gratitude. Let’s first set the stage for reflection.
Put yourself in a place with limited distractions. This could be in your car as you arrive at work or home, drink your favorite morning or evening beverage, or when you first wake up or lay in bed. Take your phone and put it on do not disturb. Once you have limited the distractions, take some time to reflect on the following questions:
- Who do you have a meaningful relationship with, and what makes that relationship meaningful? Most of us have family members, friends, or even coworkers that inspire us. Are you taking the time to reflect on how those relationships create stability and/or meaning in your work? For some of us, our relationships are the reason why we do what we do. Think of that family member you seek to support through your work, that consumer you will assist, or that coworker that makes your life easier.
- What difficulty has been stressing you out, and what good can come from it? The purpose of this question is to reflect on opportunity amid hardship. Gratitude is the secret to experiencing thankfulness during hard times. As our stressors attempt to dictate our attitudes, we can choose to have an attitude of gratitude. Embrace how you will develop mentally or emotionally by managing that stressor you are facing.
- What is one thing that made you smile today? Gratitude does not have to be a complex practice. Simply thinking about something that makes you feel good can be beneficial. One way to take this reflection to the next level is to consider why you smiled during that moment. For example, one of your team members experienced success, and you felt a grin coming on. Why does your team members’ success bring you happiness? The key to a successful gratitude practice is to explore why a moment is meaningful and to allow yourself to reexperience joy.
Final Thought: Take the time to slow down and truly experience the people and things you are thankful for. Do not let gratitude be a seasonal practice but a discipline that you carry with you moving forward.
