Life can be tough. Leadership is hard--sometimes, overwhelming. What to do?
To withstand the challenges of life and leadership, transformative, determined leaders regularly practice gratitude. Practicing gratitude is a true win/win. It is magnificent for both the giver and the receiver. Who doesn’t like to be appreciated? And even greater is the impact upon the giver. Gratitude is scientifically proven to lower stress. (So is exercise. Gratitude is easier.) Gratitude changes our biochemistry—even rewires our brain. What’s not to like?
There are many ways to practice gratitude. In one stressful leadership position I had, I resolved to write one note of gratitude, first thing every day. I found myself feeling like the campus gardener—I would walk around campus and see some “flower” I had recently watered blooming to life more powerfully than ever. It worked so well that I determined to write more than one a day. As another practice, when life got really stressful, I would write down 5 things I was grateful for in a gratitude journal first thing each morning. Often, they were things that happened recently and as often they were as simple as a list of the important people in my life. I know some teams that start each meeting with a “gratitude.” Any team member can volunteer it, it simply starts the meeting on a positive note. One person took a picture of things they were happy for on their phone as their “gratitude gallery” to be reviewed in times of stress. One of my coaches is famous for saying that, first thing every morning, he looks at his big toe and if he does not see a toe tag, he starts his day with gratitude for being alive. If our day starts with gratitude, our lives are richer and fuller.
People who view life through a deficit mindset (“Why don’t I have this?” and “I need this to be happy”) struggle to be effective leaders. Transformative, determined leaders practice gratitude regularly. And because they are transformative leaders, they receive it regularly, too.
The simple challenge: For one week, start everyday naming five things you are thankful for. For extra points, write them down without repeating any. Then, once a day, stop what you are doing and send a text or email to someone you are grateful for. For extra points, handwrite it and deliver or snail mail it.
Let me know how you feel in a week.
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