Have you ever found yourself struggling to be happy at work? According to a CNBC/SurveyMonkey, the Workplace Happiness Index is an optimistic 71 out of 100, while the survey found 85 percent of respondents are either somewhat or very satisfied with their jobs.1 Whether it’s your dream job or not, you can improve your work life (and everybody else’s) with an attitude of thankfulness. But where to begin?
We are entering the holiday season and getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving in the U.S. in the next week. You’ll probably be having a big meal with family and friends. It’s my family’s tradition to go around the table and have each person say what they are thankful for. The way I see it, thankfulness is a verb. It’s an action that benefits both the receiver and the sender. Instead of thinking “what am I thankful for?” ask yourself “How does my thankfulness show?” If you struggle with the latter question, that’s okay, it means there are many ways for you to get started.
Here are 5 ways to put thankfulness into action:2
The American writer William Arthur Ward once penned, “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” Gratitude is only as sincere as your efforts to express it. Here are five ways to do that:
1) Take time to notice: Set aside time every week (or 5 minutes each morning) to think of ways to thank co-workers for the work they do and the qualities they bring to the job. It takes time to notice things about a person that are praiseworthy, so get to know each person you work with and find the best way to recognize them. When you take time to appreciate the people you work with, you cultivate a happier workplace.
2) Show humility: Novelist C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.” Showing humility does not mean you are showing weakness, it means you are harnessing personal strength to support others. In business, take heart in knowing your success depends on the hard work of your co-workers. Be open to their opinions, tend to their needs, and admit your own mistakes. In these ways, humility encourages better employee engagement.
3) Be authentic: An attitude of thankfulness comes from seeing the abundance you’ve been given in your own life. Draw from your own life experiences, core values, and strengths when recognizing co-workers. It takes courage to be yourself, but when you do, you lay the foundation for trust and loyalty.
4) Say “Please” and “Thank You”: Not only is it good manners (thanks, mom!), these two seemingly tiny expressions pack a powerful punch. “Please” and “thank you” are big-time motivators and self-esteem boosters for both the sender and recipient. Work “please” and “thank you” into conversations and e-mail correspondence. Take a co-worker out to lunch or bring in doughnuts (or fresh fruit) to celebrate a job well done!
5) Be involved: A culture of thankfulness relies on people like you, no matter what position you have in the company, to look for opportunities to express gratitude. Help create those opportunities and encourage participation. Does your business donate to charity? How about volunteering at the local food pantry? If you don’t have any programs in place, get one started today. Sponsor a company athletic team, host wellness activities, or plan a fun team-building experience. Don’t wait for someone else to get moving. It’s up to you!
What some ClearPath employees are thankful for:
Alanna Williams – ClearPath, VP Strategy & Solutions
“I did not make this up. I have this hanging in my office. I look at it every day. “
Angie Hersman – ClearPath, Client Services Manager
“I am thankful for my family; even though they may drive me crazy, I am blessed to have a family.”
Becky Reeder – ClearPath, Client Services Manager
“I am thankful that I have learned to “Bloom Where I am Planted” and “Love the Life I Live” (not the life I envisioned for myself, LOL)”
Sandi Silva – ClearPath, VP Operations
“Grateful for small things, big things and everything in between. Thankful for all of it. The highs. The lows. The blessings. The lessons. The setbacks. The comebacks… Everything!”
ClearPath can help you design a solution pertaining to your contingent workers. We can help relieve this burden by outsourcing your back-office Human Resources and Payroll functions to our Employer of Record service. Contact us to learn more about how our expert personalized service can let you get back to focusing on your business goals. Work with a leader in the industry for outsourced Human Resources and Payroll functions associated with W-2 and 1099 contingent workers. Let ClearPath be the path to your peace of mind. For other questions about assessing your workforce or conducting a review of your current hiring processes, the ClearPath team can assist you.
Sources:
2 https://ccbtechnology.com/5-ways-to-put-thankfulness-into-action-in-the-workplace/