It's the season to be thankful for family, friends, food and even the fun of snaring some bargains at the mall.
When Monday rolls around and you're back at work, here's how to continue to cultivate that uplifting attitude of gratitude throughout the rest of the year and beyond.
Make a list of who deserves your thanks and then, whether it's once a day or twice a week, make the effort to let them know.
Consider these examples:
1) If you're in sales or run your own business, you know your ideal clients often come from referral sources who trust in your abilities. Review your most lucrative accounts and track those clients back to the beginning. Chances are, someone introduced you to them. You probably thanked them at the time, but do they know how important that client has become? Tell them!
2) Think about the teachers and coaches throughout your life who saw the best in you and encouraged you to excel. For me, it was Mrs. Coughlin, my seventh-grade English teacher. She persuaded me to submit a few of my poems to our school newspaper when I was 12 years old and gifted me with the joy of seeing my words in print for the first time. That's when I knew I would be a professional writer. Thirty-three years later, when I was writing Working with Wisdom, I called her to tell her so and she was delighted to hear from me. I included her in my book's acknowledgments section, which I called With Gratitude, and sent her a signed copy.
3) What authors and speakers sparked a flame in you and changed your life? You could send them an email or post on their Facebook page. Last year, I received this email: "Your CRAVE webinar through Women in Technology International was a gateway into my journey of self-actualization. You made these concepts very accessible and actionable. In the past year, I've started practicing gratitude, positive affirmations, and visualization. I also decluttered my entire house, and have kept myself organized and on track. I've been promoted and feel joy every day. I subscribe to your newsletters and LOVE them! They always leave me feeling inspired and I refer back to them often. You've made a huge difference in my life."
Expressing gratitude to others is a gift to the giver, as well as the recipient. Who deserves your thanks? Share it on my Facebook page or reply back to me. I love hearing from you!
