We live in a society that is so fast-paced that sometimes it’s hard to stop and express gratitude for the things we enjoy. The little things, like having clean water to drink and warm showers, are just as important as having a decent job and reliable transportation.
Gratitude is equally significant in both our professional and personal lives.
However, I must admit that I sometimes take things for granted and I don’t always show gratitude.
Therefore, I’ve decided to take deliberate steps to practice gratitude as I recognize the wonderful blessings in my life.
Here are 7 ways to practice gratitude at home and in the workplace:
- Blessings Jar: Consider keeping a jar of blessings either at home or at your workplace. You can add Post-it notes to the jar as a visual reminder of things for which you are grateful and read them at the end of the year. It could be anything from a beautiful rainbow after a terrible storm, a dental visit with no cavities, or acquiring a new client for your business.
The act of writing things down and revisiting them later can be incredibly powerful in cultivating gratitude.
- Be thankful for everyday things: Remember to appreciate the ordinary aspects of life that we often take for granted – Things like clean water to drink, the air we breathe, and technological advances that have simplified communication.
Remember the AOL Dial-up sound? Anyone? Anyone?
We’ve come a long way. I’m grateful!
- Send a “Thank you” message: Have you ever received a thank you text message, email, or card from someone and thought, “Wow, that was so nice!”
Unexpected expressions of gratitude can help someone feel genuinely appreciated.
- Keep a Gratitude Journal: Like the Blessings Jar, maintaining a gratitude journal involves writing things down for which you are grateful. This daily or weekly habit can help shift your perspective and remind you of what truly matters.
- Say thank you: Don’t underestimate the power of a simple “thank you.”
We are so caught up in our own lives that we forget to acknowledge the kindness of those around us. Whether it’s someone holding the elevator door or offering a blessing after a sneeze, saying thank you can leave a positive and lasting impression.
- Change your Perspective:If we choose to look at our circumstances as a learning opportunity, it might turn a bad day into a good one. Sometimes a change in perspective, on a challenging day, is all we need to change our mood. That’s something to be to be grateful for.
- Do something for someone else: When I’m struggling to be grateful, I find that helping someone else really makes a difference. There are countless ways to lend a hand. You could volunteer at a homeless shelter, assist an elderly couple with their groceries, or take on a task for a stressed-out coworker.
By focusing on others, we can momentarily forget about our own challenges and discover reasons to be grateful. And do you know what? They are not the only ones who benefit – helping others often brings us even more joy, happiness, and gratitude. So, it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
What are some ways that you practice gratitude at home or in the workplace?
Why is gratitude in the workplace important?