Saying thank you is an emotional act. It not only acknowledges someone's effort, kindness, intent, or action, it recognizes the person himself. Acknowledging someone, makes us feel good knowing we’ve made a difference.
In business, gratitude is not just a “feel good” emotion. When an employee believes that their boss is grateful for his or her work, the employee has an increased sense of worth. This sense of worth can lead to better job performance and loyalty, positively benefiting the company. Expressing gratitude can positively influence job satisfaction and reduce employee turnover, increasing productivity and profitability for the company.
Gratitude is an action. Ingratitude is an action. Both are optional. An attitude of gratitude is a choice that we make of seeing what’s good and beautiful and appreciating it in our lives, rather than focusing on what’s lacking and complaining about it.
As an individual, be grateful for opportunities. Celebrate your achievements, no matter the size. Use each small success as motivation to create more success. Be thankful for what you are able to accomplish so that you are compelled to do much more.
Evidence implies that being grateful and expressing it can improve one’s physical health. Researchers are discovering that actions such as gratitude can create positive changes in a person’s cardiovascular and immune functioning. In one recent study, individuals who focused on being grateful rather than on not being angry were found positively to influence a variety of important physiological functions such as improved heart, pulse, and respiration rates.
The opposites of gratitude, such as anger, anxiety, fear and worry destroy the proteins at the end of our chromosomes called telomeres, which dramatically speeds up the aging process. Cancelling those opposites with gratitude can lead to a more meaningful, successful, happier and even a longer, healthier life.
William Arthur Ward, a Texas journalist and poet said, "Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings."
What you pay attention to, or notice, tends to expand and grow. Let’s all practice growing our attitude of gratitude.
It really isn’t that hard to do; gratitude is simply noticing the good stuff in your life and then expressing it.