Hey there, Monsters!

Who’s had their fair share of gripes today? How many times do you reckon you’ve winged so far? 1-5 times? 5-10? Brace yourselves, because the average person complains a whopping 30 times a day. That’s a staggering 11,000 times a year! And guess what? I found myself in the gold medal spot for Olympic-level griping. Yep, that was me.

But guess what? While working for the Bad Boss, I started the “No Complaints Challenge”. For every complaint made, I would put an Euro in a jar. It was really tough to keep that promise, so I like to joke that it helped me to save for the down-payment for my apartment.

You see, it’s tough to break the cycle of complaints. Our brains are hardwired for negativity; it’s part of our survival instinct. Research even shows that a whopping 80% of our thoughts tend to lean towards the negative, and a staggering 95% of them are just on repeat. But here’s the catch—making that small shift in mindset empowered me to tackle my to-do list with newfound vigor and make a real impact.

Recently, my personal and professional challenges had led me to another negativity spiral. I was very quick at noticing everything that was wrong with my life. So, I decided re-shift my focus. How about thinking about all the things that are going right? Dear Monsters, we are known to be the ungrateful kids on the block, but obviously, there is many more things going our way, than not. But why, oh why, do we always tend to focus on what isn’t just right?

It was the time to start a gratitude journal. The commitment was small. It only took a diary and a pen, topped with a daily practice. Every night, I would reflect on three things I was grateful for. Every night for over three months, I have been documenting my gratitude. It’s been a fun experience, filled with moments of joy, reflection, and a newfound appreciation for the simple blessings in life. Here are some key highlights from my journal entries – I especially appreciated:

1. Time with Friends, Family and Colleagues: Cherishing those heartwarming moments of laughter, shared stories, and experiences has been the anchor of my happiness.
2. Good Health: Each day, I am grateful for the gift of good health, enabling me to embrace life’s adventures with vitality and enthusiasm.
3. Morning Coffee Ritual: Starting my day with that perfect cup of coffee has become a cherished ritual, providing my mornings with warmth and comfort
4. Cozy Reading Time: Snuggling in with a captivating book or a thought-provoking magazine has been my sanctuary, allowing me to unwind and explore new worlds within the pages.
5. Energizing Workouts: Challenging my limits through invigorating workouts has been a constant source of empowerment and renewal.
6. Creative Work Meetings: Engaging in dynamic and inspiring work meetings has fueled my passion for creativity and collaboration, igniting fresh ideas and innovative solutions.
7. Car Dance Sessions: Grooving to my favorite tunes in the car has brought moments of pure joy and self-expression, turning mundane drives into fun times.
8. Embracing Nature: Reveling in the beauty of the great outdoors has been a soul-nourishing experience, allowing me to connect with nature’s serenity and magnificence.
9. Traveling for Work: Exploring new places and cultures through work-related travels has broadened my horizons, fostering a deeper understanding of diversity and global interconnectedness.
10. Restful Sleep: Starting the day rested and rejuvenated is not something to take for granted.
11. A Good Old Homecooked Meal: Experimenting with flavors and savoring the art of cooking at home has been a completely different experience,

Reflecting on these moments of gratitude, I’ve come to realize that joy resides in the small and often overlooked facets of life. It’s in these seemingly ordinary moments that the true essence of gratitude reveals itself, reminding us to cherish the present and embrace the beauty that surrounds us each day. This exercise has changed my outlook on life and I am pleased to say it has become a habit.

The impacts are not only restricted to my personal life, but to my professional journey too. As New Age Leaders, gratitude is a trick that will help us drive change faster and with more integrity than ever before. Here are the five ways that gratitude can boost our journey as New Age Leaders:

1. Fostering Empathy: Embracing gratitude nurtures empathy within us, enabling a deeper understanding of our team members’ experiences, emotions, and perspectives. By acknowledging and appreciating their contributions, we create a compassionate and supportive environment that values the unique strengths and challenges of each individual.
2. Promoting Positive Culture: Practicing gratitude fosters a culture of positivity and appreciation within the workplace. By openly acknowledging and celebrating the efforts and achievements of our team members, we cultivate an inclusive and supportive atmosphere that encourages collaboration, creativity, and mutual respect.
3. Building Stronger Bonds: The practice of gratitude strengthens the bonds within our team, fostering trust, camaraderie, and a sense of unity. By expressing appreciation for their hard work and dedication, we create a nurturing environment where team members feel valued, understood, and motivated to contribute their best.
4. Encouraging Resilience: Gratitude serves as a powerful tool in building resilience within ourselves and our team. By cultivating a mindset of appreciation, we develop the ability to approach challenges and setbacks with a positive outlook, resilience, and a solutions-oriented approach, inspiring our team to persevere and overcome obstacles with confidence.
5. Inspiring Growth: Reflecting on moments of gratitude encourages personal and professional growth, fostering self-awareness, mindfulness, and continuous learning. By leading with gratitude, we inspire our team members to embrace a growth mindset, setting the stage for collaborative learning, development, and a shared vision of success within the organization.

I am really curious to hear from you, monsters. Have you done this experiment before? What have you learned? Drop me a comment, I would love to hear from you.

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash