Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Do you think that is true? Are leaders in charge of their own happiness? A spirit of gratefulness will change your life.
I believe your mindset has a significant influence on your job satisfaction and the culture of your organization. If you purposely look for the best things in life, you’ll be a lot happier. However, the opposite is also true if you always see the glass half empty.
The average person will spend more than 92,000 hours of their life at work. Many people, maybe you included, are well above that average concerning this area of their life. So how can you ensure that those hours are enjoyable? Despite many obstacles that seem to be working against you, you can make a significant improvement to your job satisfaction by changing your thinking. It’s all about perspective.
If you’re constantly thinking of what you don’t have rather than what you do have, you can be absolutely sure you will be unhappy. However, if you make the effort – and yes, it takes effort – to focus on the blessings in your life, you will see a dramatic change in your level of happiness.
Responsible Leaders Take Gratefulness Seriously
If you are a leader, you set the tone in your organization. You are responsible for the culture. A spirit of gratitude and thankfulness will quickly change the tone in your organization and in your life.
Gratitude is a critically important aspect of a truly healthy leader and organization. Maintaining a mindset of gratefulness doesn’t happen automatically, it requires a concerted effort. One of the best ways to practice mindfulness is to start and maintain a daily gratitude journal.
What would you write in your gratitude journal today?
To help you get started, I encourage you to reflect on these questions:
1.) What lesson did you learn today that you’re grateful that you learned?
2.) What experience did you have or encounter today that you’re grateful you had?
3.) Name someone you’re grateful for that has either taught you something valuable or helped you succeed.
Fix your Focus
Focus on the positives and look for ways to serve others – doing a kind deed, offering encouragement, giving compliments – the corresponding benefits will be obvious. This outlook will immediately change your focus each and every day. It will help you find happiness and joy because that is what happens when you seek to serve others and give the most of yourself.
Wherever you fall on the organizational chart, your attitude makes a significant difference. It begins with your own happiness, but it quickly impacts those around you. Start improving your organization today by focusing on the good.
This excellent article from Inc.com shares research to support how directly our gratitude affects our happiness in all areas of life.