Clark Kent, Thanksgiving and Gratitude

I thought a good way to wrap up a week that has been shortened by the Thanksgiving holiday would be to share some thoughts about "Gratitude." Increasing personal gratitude helps us to be joyful, contented. For me, gratitude is like taking off visibly fogged glasses and wiping them clear, so you can appreciate the details in the world around you.

Over the years, I've worked with so many excellent colleagues and professionals that didn't know it, not personally and sometimes, not even professionally. They tirelessly showed up for meetings, projects and after-hours work events all while balancing the normal "outside of work" life that so many have trouble balancing. Sometimes I wish I could shake them, but that would be an HR policy violation. But if I would, I would grab them by the shoulders and say, "You are Clark Kent and SPOILER ALERT: Clark Kent IS actually Superman!"

Maybe you've been leading a very hurried and demanding life in your career. If you're like most, you're trying to do it all...raise a family, build a legacy, save for retirement, not lose site of your dreams. I had to unpack some journal notes to re-read to myself this year, so I wouldn't lose sight of a particular goal I set out for that was not wholly aligned with my Corporate career aspirations. That is real life. We each are doing that, on some level, everyday. It can be difficult to pause long enough to practice gratitude. But it IS a practice.

The way you tap into the Super YOU, is by dusting off your lens (the way you perceive and look at the world, your job, family, etc) and pausing long enough to recognize goodness. How do you dust off the lens?

EXERCISE:

• Make a quick list of things you're grateful for...daily if needed...to spark your motivation and creativity
• Give generous Thank You's from the heart (verbal, written note, email, etc) to your colleagues for their help or hard work
• Dream again. Pull out the old notebook, revisit the goal, get excited again and ask for help if you need it.
• Pause...Reflect...identify something you're grateful for...repeat. Practice that daily.

Your Company may not know all of who you are but when you do, it makes all the difference.

Vita Shields is a talent acquisition manager by day and caped-crusader (a.ka. a Mom) to a wild and wonderful 3-year old at all times. She's more of a Marvel Comics kind of gal, but Superman is alright by her. You can contact her via inbox or [email protected] .