Prepare to be Thankful
Take the Insight Pre-Thanksgiving Gratitude Challenge!
Next week is a unique time when families gather, attempt to make a turkey tasty, and watch the Dallas Cowboys try hard. During election season there’s always an added element of tension in many families who don’t all vote the same way.
I guess there’s always something to be frustrated with. There’s always something to complain about. There’s always something to be afraid of. There’s always a reason or two to live in anxiety and fear instead of thankfulness and peace.
However, I want to encourage you and challenge you to practice gratitude for a little over a week before Thanksgiving. Join the Insight Gratitude Challenge.
Gratitude is a practice and choice. It doesn’t always come naturally. Let me provide you some things to complain about:
Finances are tight.
Team didn’t perform and bonuses aren’t coming.
Adult kids are struggling to hold down a job and might be staying over for more than a week.
You were looked over for a job you want and believe you deserve.
Kids are getting bullied at school.
The candidate of your choice lost an election.
You feel sick and doctors can’t figure out why.
This year is one more reminder that you aren’t pursuing your dreams right now.
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
There is always something to complain about. My personal list is much longer. Here’s what I know … our complaints add fuel to our fears and our fears rob us of loving life at work and loving life at home.
So, am I saying that practicing gratitude can help you turn the corner? Absolutely. Your family member who voted for the “wrong” candidate might still be an okay person. The boss who overlooked you for a role, might be willing to discuss your future with you … or that might be a sign that it’s time to look for a role in a new organization. When things don’t go our way, there might be an opportunity presenting itself rather than getting stuck in a hole we can’t dig out of.
Our team has been coaching leaders for many years and I can tell you that the leaders who can find something to be thankful for are more resilient, more effective, and have healthier relationships. Grateful leaders find niche opportunities that angry and fearful leaders miss.
Check out these stats from Penn State health.
70% of employees would feel better about themselves if their boss were more grateful, and 81% would work harder.
Employees who experience more gratitude at work report fewer depressive symptoms and stress.
95% of employees agree that a grateful boss is more likely to be successful.
Regular gratitude journaling has been shown to result in 5% to 15% increases in optimism and 25% increased sleep quality.
Lack of gratitude is a major factor in driving job dissatisfaction, turnover, absenteeism, and burnout.
53% of employees would stay at their company longer if they felt more appreciation from their boss.
Gratitude reduces toxic aggression, frustration, and regret even after receiving negative feedback.
In a study of 800 descriptive trait words, “grateful” was rated in the top 4% in terms of likeability.
Over 90% of American teens and adults indicated that expressing gratitude made them “extremely happy” or “somewhat happy”.
A five-minute daily gratitude journal can increase long-term well-being by 10%.
Take the Insight Pre-Thanksgiving Gratitude Challenge: Practice Gratitude Between Now and Thanksgiving
Challenge 1: Share Appreciation
According to researchers, sharing gratitude is one of the few things that can literally change our lives for the better. You are in direct control of your ability to share appreciation for others even if they don’t share appreciation to you.
Share appreciation to your spouse
Share appreciation to your children
Share appreciation to a server or steward on a plane
Share appreciation to a boss
Share appreciation to team member
This can look like a card, a compliment, or a word of encouragement. Look at what someone did well and let them know you noticed.
A few months ago, I saw an employee on a flight handle conflict with another airline employee like a pro. The employee was out of line and our flight attendant handled herself with class even though she was flustered.
After the incident, I let her know how well she handled herself and the situation and that she should be proud of herself. A few others spoke up and started to celebrate the Relationship Intelligence of our flight attendant. She started to tear up and said thank you.
Challenge: Share appreciation without asking or expecting anything in return.
Challenge 2: Morning Meditation
Every morning before you get out of bed think about what you are thankful for instead of what you are dreading. Think about the type of day you want to have and type of leader, spouse, parent, you want to be.
A habit I’m going to relaunch this week is mediating on Matthew 22:34. In the passage, the religious leaders are asking Jesus about what’s most important and Jesus says, “Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” The religious leaders agreed, but then Jesus gave a challenge they didn’t like. “This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.”
So, personally, I recite this as a prayer of thankfulness and think about what my day will look like when I show love (appreciation, gratefulness, compassion) to everyone in my sphere of influence today.
When I wake up after this 2-4 minute exercise, I help the kids get ready with a bit more kindness than normal
Challenge 3: Look Back
Next week, I’m going to prep a turkey, fire up the smoker and attempt to cook a turkey that we will always remember (in a good way). All I can do is research, follow the process and pray it works out. Peace and anxiousness will coexist.
I think that’s a snapshot of what it’s like pursuing a dream, a goal, a purpose. We can prepare, follow the process, take action, and then … hope for the result. It’s like smoking meat though – there are so many elements out of my control: the temperature outside, the moisture level of the wood, and the chance of rain. I can look at those elements out of my control with a negative filter or a positive filter: the temperature, the perfectly seasoned wood, a beautiful fall day. It is those elements out of our control that are sometimes the art of what makes everything work, whether preparing a meal or pursuing a dream.
My guess is there is something in your world right now you are processing personally or professionally that causes you to feel a multitude of diverse emotions, depending on what time of day it is.
That’s why it’s important to look back and not just forward.
Ten years ago, I traveled to our nation’s capital to do a consult with Core Strengths and their certification process. That was a pivotal week that has shaped the approach and depth of work we do at Insight. Now, as a Master Facilitator, with over a decade of experience, Insight has assessed, trained and worked with thousands of leaders in incredible organizations led by amazing leaders. Eleven years ago, all I knew is that I wanted to help leaders love life at work and love life at home. I wanted to help leaders dominate at work in a way that helped everyone in their sphere of influence live and lead better lives. Learning about the SDI 2.0 Inventory has helped propel that dream forward.
I can promise you there have been emotions of gratitude and fear since we started. There is anxiousness and peace … waiting for contracts to sign, waiting for invoices to come in, wondering if this is the right decision. My wife, Meg, has always been a constant support and encouragement.
Now, I have the fortune to work with amazing, qualified leaders helping drive the mission forward: Ryan Morrison, Deena Faseler, Judy Lohmar, Paige Williams, and a new leader helping in the background right now, John Hard.
We strive together to help leaders love life at work and love life at home.
Last week it went full circle for me.
I had the opportunity to travel back to DC.. for the first time to work with a new client. The Carlos Rosario Public Charter School. This is charter school for adult immigrants. The managers and leaders have roots from all around the world. The cafeteria had fried plantains and pupusas. The leaders of this school, work diligently to help adults prepare to pursue a dream and take the next step in their lives. It was such an honor and joy to work and now play a small role in this organizations culture and development.
Looking back with gratitude gives me the courage to look forward with hope and gratefulness.
Challenge: Look back and view what has prepared you for where you are going. There is always something to complain about, but practice focusing on how to be grateful.
Let’s not let fear, anxiousness, and what we have no control over, rob us having the courage to slow down enough to be grateful before we move forward.
Remember, not every turkey turns out well at Thanksgiving. That just means you assess, research and try again. But at least you have a meal to share with friends or family. When you can look back with gratitude and look forward with peace, I think you are on track to love life at work and love life at home.
Here’s the Insight Pre-Thanksgiving Gratitude Challenge:
Share Appreciation
Morning Meditation
Look Back
Share the post or leave a comment if you are joining the challenge.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving next week!
