“The devil doesn’t have to steal anything from you, all he has to do is make you take it for granted” – Max Lucado
When we’re in a negative place and mindset, it is not at all possible to be grateful. In order to be at our best as leaders, living and leading in gratitude is absolutely essential. Coming from a place of appreciation inspires your Team to perform well, knowing they are appreciated in everything they are doing to serve the mission of the organization. It’s difficult to empower your people if you don’t do so in the spirit of gratitude!
The last 4 years, we have started a new family tradition of coming to Florida for Thanksgiving week(I’m writing this as the beautiful sun is rising from Bradenton, FL). As we count down the last quarter of a very busy year, both with family, and professionally, this new tradition has become more and more looked forward to each year! And I couldn’t be more grateful for our incredible Team that takes ownership of things back home and allows us the opportunity to get away and recharge!
As I’ve gotten more “mature” (and a tad bit wiser of course ;)), I have become much more appreciative of the simple things in this earthly life. Our experiences in life tell us to slow down and enjoy those special moments that God has provided for us. The ability to reflect and learn something from these moments is what creates our awareness to be grateful. To empower individuals and our teams, it’s essential to be appreciative of their experiences. We all are unique and have ways in which our strengths allow us to achieve the same results utilizing our different styles — Appreciating those differences is motivating for our people!
When you come from a place of respect, appreciation, and generosity, you will become a more authentic and transparent leader. The key is to intentionally navigate to the mindset of gratitude more and more, day after day!
Here is another thing I have come to know – It’s much easier to be grateful when things are going well. But gratitude can have an even bigger impact if you’re experiencing calamity in your life. So when you encounter challenges, see where you can find the silver lining. There is always something that can be taken away. What did you learn from what happened? What opportunity did it open up for you? Even life’s hardships offer lessons learned. Share these insights with your Team and of course with your core circle of friends. Being able to be truly grateful during times of challenge and change is a great way to stop spirals of turmoil and stress!
Remember this as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving this week… Never forget to take time to enjoy the little things, as one day we’ll look back and realize they were the big things!
What are you most grateful for in your life today? This week – Tell somebody in your life how much you appreciate all they do. In fact, tell 5 people!