The Importance of Thankfulness:

In Business, Personal Life, and for Your Mental Health

November is Gratitude Month, and what better time to reflect on all the good things in our lives? Thankfulness is often overlooked, but it is a powerful emotion that can have a significant impact on our personal lives, business, and mental health.

Thankfulness in Personal Life

Not long ago I took my children to a pumpkin patch where they spent 2 hours climbing obstacle courses, running in hamster wheels, wading through a corn maze and feeding animals. As we were nearing the time to leave, my son began crying because he hadn’t gotten to see this brown bunny his older sister had spotted in the corn maze.

It was then that I took this opportunity to talk to him about all the fun things he had been able to do while at the pumpkin patch. We strove to reflect on the things that he was thankful for doing instead of focusing on the one thing he did not get to do.

Gratitude is important in our personal lives. When we focus on the good things in our lives, it can help us to feel happier and more content. It can also help us to cope with difficult times and challenges.

For me son, he was able to reorient his focus away from the one little thing he missed out on and remember all the other amazing activities he had been a part of.

Research has shown that grateful people tend to be happier and healthier than those who are not grateful. They are also more likely to have strong relationships and a sense of purpose in life.

Thankfulness in Business

Gratitude can be a powerful tool in the workplace. When we express gratitude to our colleagues and employees, it shows that we appreciate their hard work and contributions. This can lead to increased employee morale, productivity, and engagement.

Studies have shown that grateful employees are more likely to stay with their companies and go the extra mile. They are also more likely to be helpful and supportive of their colleagues.

In addition, gratitude can help to create a more positive and productive work environment. When people feel appreciated, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work. This can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved.

Thankfulness for Mental Health

Gratitude is a positive force for our mental well-being. Anxiety, jealousy, holding grudges, and harboring resentment are toxic emotions that diminish our happiness and contribute to increased levels of depression. When we focus on the positive aspects of our lives, we can effectively alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression, while also bolstering our self-esteem and resilience.

One study found that people who wrote gratitude letters for just 3 weeks reported feeling happier and more optimistic. They also had fewer depressive symptoms and slept better at night.

Challenge from Career Development Partners

I’d like to challenge you, reader, to join CDP in reflecting on something you are thankful for every day for the month of November.

It can be something simple, like a warm cup of coffee in the morning or a beautiful sunset at night. It can also be something more significant, like a supportive family, a fulfilling career, or good health.

Take a few minutes each day to write down something you are grateful for. You can keep a journal, write it on a sticky note, or simply say it to yourself in your head.

I believe that practicing gratitude will make a difference in your life, both personally and professionally. It is a simple but powerful way to boost your mood, reduce stress, and improve your overall well-being.

Here are some ideas for how to practice gratitude in your business and personal life:

• Start a gratitude journal. Write down one or more things you are grateful for each day.
• Thank your colleagues and employees. Take the time to express your appreciation for their hard work and contributions.
• Be mindful of the good things in your life. Pay attention to the little things that make you happy, such as a beautiful sunset or a delicious meal.
• Help others. Doing something kind for someone else is a great way to feel good about yourself and to show your gratitude for the good things in your life.

I hope you will join us in practicing gratitude this month and throughout the year. It is a simple but powerful way to improve your life in all areas.

Follow us on LinkedIn for CDP’s 30 Days of Thankfulness posts in November.