Newsletter Edition: Expressing Gratitude

We must keep in mind all the many things there are to be grateful for, now more than ever. So, what is gratitude?  Gratitude hails from the Latin word Gratia, meaning grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. It is conceptualized as an emotion, an attitude, a moral virtue, a habit, and a coping mechanism. Despite the concept’s ubiquitous roots, most people seem to save all of their gratitude for the holidays and special occasions. Here at designforce, we say, don’t wait for the turkey (or stuffing, depending on what you love most about Thanksgiving dinners). There are many ways to cultivate gratitude not only around the holiday season but also throughout the rest of the year, and, as evidenced by science, people who express gratitude on a continuous basis are happier and healthier.

So, how can you cultivate gratitude? Here are various scenarios where you can express and grow your gratitude while nurturing the same in others. 

At Work: 

We are taught from an early age that saying thank you in acknowledgment of a kind or positive act is right and proper. Despite that, according to a survey of 2,000 Americans done by the John Templeton Foundation, people are less likely to express gratitude or say “thank you” in the workplace than in any other part of their lives. In this survey, 35% of respondents said they believed expressing any gratitude could lead coworkers to take advantage of them. When acknowledging interdependency, one accepts vulnerability. The implication being that this mindset creates and reinforces a culture of ingratitude which affects workplace morale and cohesion. Knowing this, how can one proactively cultivate gratitude for their peers and colleagues? It starts at the top. Having a Managing Principal or Studio Leader express gratitude to their staff creates a trickle-down effect. Most of the individuals surveyed reported feeling better and more motivated when hearing a thank you from an authority figure. Think of the adage “praise in public and criticize in private.” Use this as an example. An employee has completed a construction or design document. They did a great job on a deliverable that is not typically on their plate. It is important to praise this individual during a morning meeting to showcase that good work does not go unnoticed. 

This can be applied at every tenure level. Go for quality over quantity with your gratitude and highlight specific actions or accomplishments you are especially grateful for. A ‘thank you’ does not just have to come from the top to be meaningful. Writing a thank-you note, via hand-written letter or email, goes a long way to show you appreciate your colleagues and team. While gratitude isn’t heard as often in the workplace now, taking small steps each day to cultivate a culture of empathy and understanding will make a huge difference in the lives of you and your team. 

At Home: 

Just as one might stop and smell the roses, one can express gratitude in many aspects of their life. Gratitude comes in all forms and does not need to be limited to large gestures or the holidays. This consistent mindfulness can lead you to be happier and healthier. Studies have shown that keeping a small gratitude journal to record all the things you are grateful for leads to greater energy levels, pain relief, and fatigue reduction. Mindful word-mining is another strategy to increase gratitude; choose positive words in your everyday vernacular. As Andrew Newberg, MD, and Mark Robert Waldman wrote in their book, “Words Can Change Your Brain,” a single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress. By showcasing gratitude at home first, this practice of gratitude trickles into other aspects of your life as mentioned here in this piece. That means the positive comments you say to yourself and others strengthen areas in the frontal lobe, in charge of motivation, and increased emotional resilience.                        

In Life: 

2020 has been a year filled with uncertainty and upheaval. This year has forced many to be pushed out of their comfort zone and adapt. With adaptation, comes growth. We are all, as 2020 has so forcefully proven, in a constant state of self-improvement. While at times uncomfortable, this is an overarchingly good thing. With COVID-19 still a grave threat, especially as we enter the colder months, we must all take time to (safely) express gratitude for those who, throughout this pandemic, have needed to work continuously and put their lives on the line for others, like front line medical staff caring for the sick and first responders. Many hospitals and care facilities have set up sections of their websites, like here for UChicago Medicine, to thank the hospital and other frontline workers. 

Thank you notes can be a safe and straightforward way for you to express gratitude. You can show gratitude as well through giving back. As we approach the holiday season, many food banks are in high demand for shelf-stable products and other items like toys. Give back by dropping off needed items or starting a food drive with your neighbors. For those front line workers who have been putting in 15 + hour days, working tirelessly on their feet to save lives while putting their own at risk, a gesture as small as two words, thank you, can be profoundly impactful and give them the motivation to keep moving forward. 

There are many ways to show gratitude in all aspects of your life. By doing so, not only can you inspire others to do so as well, you allow yourself to be a happier, healthier version of yourself. Although this has been a wild year, we still have many things to be grateful for. Implementing these small acts of kindness and promoting gratitude every day will benefit you and everyone you interact with.  

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