Episode #19: Everyday Gratitude Is Good for Your Career

It’s Thanksgiving week!

Right about now, anyone with a social media feed is getting barraged by hand-lettered graphics reminding us to “be thankful” and “count our blessings.”

But, let’s be honest. When these messages are being delivered by artfully curated Instagram accounts that want to sell us leather boots on Black Friday and by distant relatives with frighteningly bad animated GIFs on Facebook, it all feels a bit much.

Don’t let all of these cringe-worthy messengers make you lose sight of the message.

Everyday gratitude is good for you. It reminds you of what’s important. When done regularly, it keeps you focused on what you have, instead of what you lack.

I’m not going to go all Oprah on you and encourage you to start a gratitude journal or a daily meditation practice. Not knocking these things, but I’m not your guru for that.

I’m here to give you a different perspective.

Everyday gratitude is more than good for your soul.

Everyday gratitude is good for your career.

Everyday gratitude is becoming a lost art in the workplace.

A little bit of everyday gratitude can go a long way to help you establish your professional reputation. It will help you become known for just your accomplishments and results. It will help you be known as a person that others simply want to work with.

Here are three ways that you can express gratitude that will help you build your career.

Make saying “thank you” a habit.

Every single time someone does something for me at work, I thank them.

Small favors, delivered requests, major deliverables. I thank every single one of them. Obviously, the bigger the item, the bigger the “thank you.”

I suppose an argument could be made against my way of thinking. After all, aren’t these people just doing their job?

But, that argument will never be made by me.

I thank every single person for helping me out, every single time.

You should, too.

The greatest leaders are known for expressing regular gratitude.

Be known for expressing regular gratitude.

Always send a well-crafted “thank you” note after an interview.

It’s shocking to me how many people don’t follow up on an interview with a thank-you note!

A great thank-you note does more than express gratitude to an interviewer for their time and reiterates your interest in the position.

A great thank-you note references the conversation and demonstrates that you were truly engaged by the dialogue you had.

In other words, it shouldn’t be copy and pasted and sent to every interviewer. You are not fooling anyone. We know when you are pulling this move.

I gave this advice to my niece when she was on the job hunt. She was one of 14 candidates interviewed for the position. She was the only one who sent a thank-you note. She got the job.

A great thank-you note helps you stand out as a top candidate. Don’t lose this easy opportunity to make an impression.

Take the time to express heartfelt gratitude to those who have been truly special.

Do you have a special mentor you call anytime you need a pep talk?

Do you have a manager who goes out of their way to coach and groom you?

Did someone go above and beyond delivering on a project you worked on together?

Did you have a connection that helped you land a new job or opportunity?

Is there someone who makes you smile every single day?

When was the last time you thanked these people in a meaningful way?

The holiday season is a perfect time to take stock of these relationships and to spread gratitude and love.

Find a special way to thank them. It doesn’t need to be a gift. A handwritten, meaningful note goes a very long way.

As a bonus, writing and sending these gratitude notes reminds you of these special relationships and makes your heart feel so full. It’s an instant mood booster!

Gratitude and common courtesy never go out of style.

Expressing everyday gratitude will help you stand out as an up-and-coming leader.

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