A THREE-DAY WEEK…YES! (Unless you are an in-season coach, of course!)
Besides the upcoming holiday, what are you thankful for this season?
No doubt, it has been a tough year! (Understatement for sure!)
I know holidays are not always fun and games, particularly if someone you love is missing from the celebration. If this is you, my heart goes out to you!
However, if you take the time to think about all of the things you appreciate about celebrations past or look ahead with a grateful heart to those to come, you are not only helping yourself, you are helping your team!!
I felt the full effects of GRATITUDE last night.
It was a dreary day in Akron yesterday and we were stuck in the house most of the day. To get moving, my son and I went to our workout room and took a walk on our treadmills (yes, we have two – don’t ask 😊) while we watched BRAIN GAMES on Disney+. (Great show, BTW!)
During our walk, I stopped for a quick piriformis stretch and went on about my business.
About 5 minutes later I looked over and my 8-year-old was mimicking my stretch like he was a pro athlete prepping for competition.
This threw me straight into a SWELL OF GRATITUDE.
It started with being grateful for time with him. Then to being grateful that he is a healthy and happy guy, Then grateful that he thinks I am worthy of emulating. And it kept going from there.
Any mindset coach worth her weight in salt can’t let this week go without talking about the benefits of GRATITUDE!
Keep reading to see how this simple act of catching my son stretching made our lives better!
As my friend Jim Tressel often says, “have an attitude of gratitude!”
So SIMPLE…but simple doesn’t mean EASY!
Author Jo Miller’s quote should get us thinking about how important being GRATEFUL is to our success.
She says that “a culture of GRATITUDE is the most underestimated way to BUILD A STRONG TEAM.”
What does GRATITUDE have to do with building a team?
Gratitude INCREASES PERFORMANCE.
Those who feel appreciated work harder. We know this as coaches. But if you are like me, taking the time to acknowledge all those who deserve it sometimes goes undone!
Gratitude is CONTAGIOUS.
If you are appreciative of others, the opportunities you have been given, the things you have, this attitude causes a ripple effect.
Gratitude INCREASES OUR WELL-BEING.
Implementing a habit of using a gratitude journal can increase your long-term well-being by over 10%. This is the same impact as doubling your yearly income!
Gratitude CHANGES OUR BRAIN. Research found changes in the prefrontal cortex, the area associated with learning and decision making when they experienced gratitude. This is good! If you have attended any of my webinars, you will recall the elephant & rider metaphor. This helps the rider direct the elephant which is vital to success!
Gratitude CHANGES OUR THINKING.
Since we spend so much of our time pursuing things we don’t have, gratitude helps us change our perspective and look at what we do have. This allows us to appreciate the things and people in our lives.
Gratitude CHANGES OUR BODY.
UC Davis professor, Robert Emmons found that gratitude is related to a 23% reduction in the stress hormone cortisol. And, health-care practitioners who kept a gratitude journal for two weeks had reductions in perceived stress (28%) and depression (16%).
Gratitude MAKES US MOVE.
Studies show that people who practice gratitude are more physically active and take better care of their health. Those who practiced gratitude once a week for four weeks exercised an hour more than those who recorded frustrations or general daily activity (Emmons & McCullough (2010).
See, that simple SWELL I felt last night changed my body, my brain, my well-being, my stress.
It encouraged me to walk longer, be nicer and will rub off on my son! AWESOME!!
Take some time this week to count your blessings. They can be as simple as thinking about watching your child mimic you, being grateful for your family whether they are with you this week or not, your team or whatever is good in your life!
Make your team and your life better. Start a gratitude journal!
This is a GREAT week to do it!
Before I close, I must let you know that I am GRATEFUL that you take the time to read my Tips! If I can help you and your team implement things like this, I’d love to help!
Wishing you and your family a healthy and wonderful holiday week!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Gratefully,
Julie
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