Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, the day on which we remember to count our blessings and give thanks. But perhaps more of us should integrate gratitude into our daily routine, rather than only focusing on it for one day, or the holiday season. Studies by Michael McCollough and Robert Emmons, among otheres, have shown that spending time every day being grateful for the people and events in our lives boosts productivity and well-being.
Most of us forget to express thanks regularly to those with whom we interact in our practice - whether they're administrative employees who help us answer our phones and keep our records straight, partners or associates who we can count on, vendors that we know will always do the job, do it right, and do it on time, or clients who refer us business or understand when a meeting or deadline needs to be postponed or rescheduled. A small gesture of appreciation, whether it's a note, a quick "thank you," or acknowledgment in front of others for a job well done, goes a long way. Everyone likes to know they're appreciated, and saying 'thanks' reflects well on you, too.
Sometimes being grateful is easier said than done; when the client calls with a last minute emergency, when we're trying to meet what seems like an impossible deadline, when we're feeling overwhelmed, it's tough to find something positive to be thankful for. But usually, there's something to be grateful for in every day, even if it's being grateful for a lesson learned the hard way, and knowing what not to do next time.
Research by Emmons and McCollough about gratitude reveals that those who kept a weekly gratitude journal reported less physical symptoms and were more optimistic and were more likely to have made progress toward personal goals than those who did not. Better health, a more positive outlook, and getting things done - three great reasons to be mindful of our blessings, not just during the holidays, but all year round.
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