Does Gratitude Have A Place At Work?
It Does When It Is Genuine
The worker punches in. In doing so, she offers her time, limited personal freedom, and does the work. In trade, you get a wage in return. It is a classic transaction. An hour of work for an hour of pay. A job is a job.
Companies are ramping up for the burst of easy holiday-related sales. The focus is on doing it now. But what about January? It will be time to trim staffing levels and start a new business cycle all over again.
Where does saying thank you fit into all of this?
The word gratitude comes to mind. Now here is an idea that has some depth. It means different things depending on the situation. It is a powerful and transforming force.
Gratitude is sometimes out of place. Nevermore true than at your workplace. Remember the transaction, an hour of work for an hour of pay? Gratitude. It fits-it feels good- but depending on the company and its culture, gratitude may not be the first thought.
So what can you expect when you bring a little gratitude to the workplace?
It can be an almost magical way to transform the environment into a positive one. It takes time and must be genuine and heart-felt.
In the workplace, gratitude creates an atmosphere of civility, which reduces stress, and that, in turn, cranks up your immune system. Gratitude increases your job satisfaction. Focusing on gratitude can improve your overall feeling of well-being, even in the face of daily stress and pressure.
Gratitude can be a powerful tool to transform the workplace. Gratitude can be practiced by everyone.
Here are three ways to bring gratitude to the workplace.
1. Set up a timetable for paying sincere compliments to those you work with. Include a positive thought on your plan for the day. The effects of gratitude will build relationships and benefit everyone involved.
2. Depending on your management style and reputation around the office, dishing out a compliment may take a bit of work. Saying thank you is effortless all by itself but could throw colleagues off their guard. Don’t worry though, it is still worthwhile. It is a matter of regularly thanking those you interact with every day. You would think you wouldn’t have to thank people for doing their jobs, but it makes that person feel good, it makes you feel good, and it doesn’t cost a cent. And here’s the key: Say it as if you mean it.
3. Put effort into noticing the good things around you. Try not to focus on the negatives. Try to find a positive take. Once you get used to looking for the positive side, it will influence other thoughts. Yes, there is a positive aspect of sitting in freeway traffic, riding the bus, or performing the more mundane tasks. Being positive is a choice.
This brings us the thought -It could be worse! Remind yourself to find the positive. Your relationships will improve, you will discover new ways to approach routine matters and achieve positive outcomes where you least expected them. Bringing gratitude to the office is not just a Thanksgiving thing.
It is an approach to living. Be more positive! You may even live longer!
I invite you to read more.
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Douglas Pilarski is an award-winning writer & journalist based on the west coast. He writes about luxury goods, exotic cars, horology, tech, food, lifestyle, and workplace issues!
You’re welcome to share your thoughts or tell me your story. Email me here. [email protected]
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