“Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.” – Eileen Caddy

In the United States, we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, and it is appropriate, perhaps even expected, to find reasons to be grateful. Of course, the reality is that we should find reasons to feel grateful every single day, and not regulate the practice to one month, one week or one day out of the year.

As you finish you work week and prepare to take the holiday off, take a few minutes to think about gratitude, specifically the gratitude you feel about your job, company, employees and more.

Ask yourself these questions

  • How much gratitude do I feel each day?
  • How much gratitude do I share with others?
  • Whom could I share gratitude with right now?

Take these action steps 

  1. Be more grateful today.
  2. Say “Thank you” more often.
  3. Be consistent and intentional in your gratitude.
  4. As a strategy for being more consistent and intentional, begin a gratitude journal.

Some final thoughts from one leader to another

As kids we are taught to say “Thank you” at least in part because it is the nice thing to do. As we grow older, we realize that etiquette matters, especially in the workplace.

The reality is that while being grateful and showing appreciation to others is good for our relationships, it is good for us too. It is one of those true win-win behaviors. As the quotation says, if you want more joy and laughter in your life, be more grateful.

So even on the days when things aren’t going well (especially on those days) find a reason to be grateful. Remember that there is always something to be grateful for, so make it a practice to think about those things on even your worst days. If you do, you will be happier, more fulfilled and more productive.

One final note: Thanks for reading this blog. I truly appreciate the opportunity to connect with other leaders. Additionally, thank you for taking the time to answer the questions and take the action steps. Doing so makes the world a better place. And that is something everyone can appreciate.

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Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group (http://KevinEikenberry.com). He has spent nearly 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.
Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and has been included in many other similar lists.

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