gratitude

Being Grateful

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Happy_Guy

Want to be happier? Healthier? Get a better night’s sleep? No problem! Just be grateful for the things you have.

A growing body of research suggests that feelings of gratitude can have lasting, beneficial effects on people’s mental and physical health. Studies have found that when people spend time focusing on the things that they’re grateful for, they experience the following:

  • Reduced feelings of stress
  • Increased sense of well-being
  • Increased feelings of satisfaction
  • Improved resilience
  • Better, more restful sleep
  • Increased desire to exercise and help others

So go ahead and make a list of the things that you’re thankful for. You might even want to read the list out loud, or stick it on your fridge so you see it regularly. You’ll be grateful you did!

 

Pinker, S. (2015, December 19-20). An Attitude of Gratitude Brings Better Health. The Wall Street Journal, p. C2.

 

Expressing Gratitude at Work

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Young woman showing her heartfelt gratitude

Outside the office, we almost always thank the people who provide us with assistance. We thank the people who serve us food at restaurants, hold open doors for us, and pick up things that we’ve dropped.

But when we’re working, that gratitude tends to disappear. In a survey of 2,000 Americans conducted by the John Templeton Foundation, it was found that people are less likely to express gratitude when they’re in the office than in any other setting. And 60% of workers reported that they rarely or never express gratitude. This may be because they feel like they shouldn’t have to thank their employees or coworkers for “just doing their jobs.” Or they may be afraid that their gratitude will be viewed as insincere.

This is unfortunate, because researchers have found that gratitude has such positive effects. It strengthens people’s relationships, boosts morale, reduces stress, motivates people to work harder, and enhances productivity. People feel good when they thank others, and they feel good when they receive thanks. Gratitude (both giving it and receiving it) makes people feel happier and more fulfilled at work.

So how well do your managers and coworkers express their gratitude? Click the link below to take a short quiz and find out! At the end of the quiz, you’ll receive a score that tells you how good your office is at expressing gratitude. You’ll also be provided with some tips on how to make your office a more thankful place.

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes/take_quiz/grateful_organizations

 

 

Smith, J. A. (2013, May 16). Five ways to cultivate gratitude at work. Greater Goods Magazine. Retrieved from: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/five_ways_to_cultivate_gratitude_at_work

The One Thing That’s So Important for Managers to Do

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Thanking_Employee

Studies have shown that one of the most effective ways for managers to improve employee morale, increase productivity, and boost employee retention is by expressing gratitude. Employees want confirmation that they’re doing a good job. They want to know that their efforts have been noticed and appreciated.

Expressing gratitude in the workplace makes employees feel more valued and confident. It strengthens relationships. And studies show that employees who feel appreciated work harder and longer.

So how should you express your gratitude? Author Amy Vetter has a few suggestions:

  1. Write a thank-you note – Sending a thank-you email is certainly a nice thing to do. But Vetter suggests taking it a step further and writing a thank-you note. A hand-written note takes more time and effort to produce, so the gesture will mean more.
  2. Recognize milestones – If your team finishes a big project or meets a significant goal, you should celebrate! Group activities (like an escape room or painting party) are a great way for your employees to bond, blow off steam, and have fun.
  3. Learn about your employees – Take the time to chat with your employees. Talk to them about their lives and their experiences. Your employees will appreciate the fact that you want to get to know them, and that you care about what’s going on in their world.
  4. Take them out for coffee – Take your employees to a coffee shop, treat them to a coffee, and ask them their opinion about current projects or initiatives. They’ll appreciate your interest and feel flattered that you value their input.
  5. Acknowledge their efforts in front of other people – During meetings, take the time to praise employees who are doing good work. You don’t need to make a big production out of it. Just saying a few words about what they’ve accomplished can make your employees feel recognized and appreciated.

 

Vetter, A. (2017, December 20). Want to win the hearts and minds of your employees? Do this 1 simple thing. Inc. Retrieved from: https://www.inc.com/amy-vetter/want-to-win-hearts-minds-of-your-employees-do-this-1-simple-thing.html

 

Thanksgiving at the Office

By in Holidays and Celebrations, Leadership, Living Well No Comments Tags: , ,

ThankYou

It’s great to give thanks – especially around the office! Research has shown that expressing gratitude in the workplace can result in the following positive effects:

  • Makes employees feel valued
  • Makes employees feel more confident
  • Strengthens relationships
  • Improves morale
  • Increases productivity (employees who feel appreciated work harder and longer)

So don’t wait for the Thanksgiving holiday. Kick things off now by thanking your coworkers, bosses, and employees for the good work they do! Complimenting your coworkers and giving thanks is an easy way to make the office happier, healthier, and more effective.

 

Afzal, S. (2010, November 23). Start your Thanksgiving in the office. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved from: http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2010/1123/Start-your-Thanksgiving-in-the-office

 

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