The past year is definitely one for the history books. The world is not what we are used to. We are forced to change the way we do things. The old ways don’t work anymore, we have to change our approach. And when we are the ones leading the charge, I think we can all agree that it has been a very stressful time.
Do you know that gratitude is a great stress reliever? Being thankful is the world’s healthiest human emotion. There is always a reason to be thankful, even during an unprecedented time. If you look hard enough, you can find reasons to be satisfied. Gratitude can change everything. Try doing this: If you’re feeling stressed or depressed, make a list of 50 things you’re grateful for. That may sound like a lot, but start with the little things you are thankful for and don’t stop until you get to 50.
Let me start. I’m grateful that I have a home. I’m thankful for the opportunities that this unprecedented time gives me. I met many people around the world during the last 12 months and made a lot of new friends. I’m also fortunate enough to talk to many of you through different meetups, events, conferences, and 1-on-1 afterwards. I’m thankful to all who have read and commented on my blogs and newsletters, and to those who have come to my talks and workshops. I enjoyed the time that we had to share and discuss with one another. I’m grateful for the learning opportunities. I’ve learned new things, and I have grown from our interactions. I’ve also worked and collaborated with people whom I met during the past year but have never met physically. I look forward to the day when we can travel again, so I can visit all my new friends and colleagues around the world. On the other hand, I’m thankful that I can help people all over the globe on how to be an agile leader without leaving the comfort of my home.
“Whatever happens, give thanks.”
Ungrateful people are never satisfied. They’re always stressed and never have enough. Your gratefulness will shift your focus away from your stress towards the good that is happening in your life and around you. It’s easy to take things and people for granted. Choose gratitude and watch your stress level go down. Choose gratitude and watch your teams thrive.