‘Tis the season of gratitude – literally. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. It feels like everyone is #blessed this time of year…but is that true?
The Greater Good Science Center, based at UC Berkeley in California, has spent two decades studying gratitude. Their research has revealed people who practice gratitude are less likely to be depressed, have stronger relationships and report fewer illnesses. The Center also found that people, in general, are less likely to express gratitude or feel thankful at work. So how can you change that? Here’s four suggestions to get started.
- Discover if you are a grateful person. When looking at something new, you should start with yourself. Take this quiz and find out how grateful you are.
- Say thank you. Sounds easy enough, right? Start by thanking your co-workers, which will help to cultivate a culture of gratitude in your workplace. Saying thank you doesn’t cost you or your company any money, but could benefit the bottom line.
- Keep a journal. Take a page from Oprah’s playbook and write down 3 – 5 things you are grateful for each day. Oprah has kept a journal for more than a decade. Whether it’s in a physical journal or electronically on your phone, writing down items daily can remind you of all that you have.
- When we do something for someone else, it often reminds us of what we have and how lucky we are. This time of year, there is an abundance of places to volunteer.
We at That’s Good HR are thankful for our staff, our candidates and our clients. We are grateful that we have such good people to work with in the Indianapolis area. There’s always something to be thankful for at TGHR!
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and give thanks continuously.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
