Difficult times require extraordinary leadership. Leaders across the world are having to step up in ways that they have never imagined before.
Putting care into the front seat of your leadership has never been more important than it is now. Those you lead need to know that you still care about them and are there for them.
In the next couple of weeks, I will be sharing with you specific things you can start doing now to help you and those you lead to weather the many storms in front and ahead of all of us.
Today, we start with the principle of gratitude. Feel free to share and forward this to anyone you feel could use this in their life today.
Never forget that every storm eventually ends with rainbows and plenty of sunshine for all to enjoy.
Gratitude
With so much uncertainty, many of us naturally choose to focus on everything that is going wrong instead of the things that are going right. It’s kind of human nature isn’t it? But doing so leaves us feeling more fearful, panicky and anxious.
Thankfulness has a way of helping us forget the negative and focus and feel more of the positive. Gratitude leaves us feeling happier and more confident instead of anxious and fearful. It provides a sense of purpose and hope, which is something that comes into question during difficult times like we are experiencing now. Gratitude could be the key to your leadership in the coming days and the key to your team successfully moving forward.
Here are four tips for bringing more gratitude into your life and the lives of those you lead. I would recommend you share these at your next meeting – in person or virtually. Let me know how it goes. I would also recommend you start telling those you lead how grateful you are for them 🙂
1. Count blessings at bedtime. Instead of counting sheep, count blessings. The blessings of life, family, friends, pets, co-workers, homes, leaders and all of the people who do things to keep you happy, safe and productive. It’s a peaceful way to fall asleep because it has a tendency to drown out worries and negative thoughts. As a result, you fall asleep quicker and stay asleep longer, helping you feel more restful later.
2. Take a gratitude walk. Nature has a calming way. As you walk, only focus on gratitude. Notice life around you in nature and everything that makes you happy. You can also take a break from work and do a gratitude walk around your office and simply think about the people you are grateful for. Or, if you are working virtually, pause and think about each person on your team who does so much for you.
3. Create a gratitude board. Create a board and put pictures of things you are grateful for; including family, those who lead you and those you lead. Also add quotes and positive sayings around gratitude to your board. Refer to the board often.
4. Take a moment to reflect. At the start of each day think of 5 to 10 things you are grateful for. Close your eyes and picture them in your mind and feel the feelings in your body for each of them. Pay attention as you become happier and more at peace. It’s a great way to kick off every day!
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie
