We all face challenges in our life. It’s easy to continually focus on all the things that are not going our way. This can cause us to fall into what’s called a place of despair. What we tend to forget is that there are positives in even the worst situations. Admittedly, it can be hard to see them when we are faced with trying times, but there are real benefits to opening our eyes to the possibilities of good that can come from the bad. Rabbi Harold Kushner said, “If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will be suddenly filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.”
A saying that reminds me to do this is entitled “Be Thankful” by an unknown author. It says, “Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to. Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times, you grow. Be thankful for your limitations because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you’re tired and weary because it means you’ve made a difference. It is easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.”
These inspirational words can ground you when things in your professional or personal life are feeling like a roller coaster ride.
This is the power of choosing to be grateful and living in the moment.
Think about the impact of a leader who finds themselves in a place of despair. Are they going to be motivating? Inspiring? Encouraging? Helpful? Or will they see everything wrong in the day contributing to a negative environment.
Every day has greatness within it, some days just have more than others. As a leader, we have the power to choose how we show up and how we support our teams. And by choosing to be grateful, we give permission to our teams to show up the same. If we choose to show up negative, we’re diminishing their ability to bring and find joy at work.
A Team Human Conversation
Fight workplace zombies in your organization and join Team Human! Gather a group of fellow workplace zombie hunters to discuss our most recent blog post. Use the questions below to kick start your conversation.
What are your most grateful for in your role as a leader?
How does gratitude play a role in your leadership style?
How do you or can you encourage a culture of gratitude with your team members?
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