Gratitude is about more than things

by Chester Elton

This is the season of gratitude. Here in America, we have just had Thanksgiving, a time with friends and family; and now we head into the holiday season featuring Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza. On New Year’s Eve we ring out the old and ring in the new.

I love, love, love this time of year.

Yet during the holidays, it is so easy to get caught in the “stuff” trap. We are constantly barraged with emails to our inboxes and pings to our phone offering last second bargains. It is so easy to lose sight of what we should value the most, the people in our lives: Those who helped us through a hard year of uncertainty, hardships, maybe even the loss of a loved one. It’s the people who matter.

In the classic comedy film “The Jerk,” Bernadette Peters plays Marie. After she and Navin (Steve Martin) realize that they have lost their fortune, she cries, “I don’t care about losing all the money … it’s losing all the stuff.” The line is comedy gold because it hits us so close to home. We get so hung up on stuff. But it is just stuff.

A couple of questions: How much of our past year was spent in the accumulation and chasing of stuff? How much time this past year did we put into gathering more good people around us? The answer to the first question is probably “too much,” and the answer to the second question is most likely “not enough.”

I will never forget one of the first Christmas’ we had when our kids were little. We went WAY overboard with presents. It looked like a semi-trailer from Toys “R” Us had crashed into our house. We were so proud that we had shown our love for our kids with so much stuff. They then spent most of the day using their imaginations and playing with the boxes. The friggin’ boxes!

The next year we just wrapped empty boxes (just kidding), but we did pare back considerably.

My advice: This year, after you shared the presents under the tree, call a friend and tell them that you love them. Reach out to a relative you haven’t spoken with in a while. Tell them how much they mean to you. How they helped you through a tough year. My promise is that if you spend a little time on people these holidays with a call or letter, it will mean more to you and them than any of the stuff under the tree.

A few thoughtful presents are always nice, but they will fade over time. Meaningful relationships last forever.

Whatever way you celebrate this time of year—whether with a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Hannukah Sameach, or Joyous Kawanza—I hope you are all safe, happy and healthy. May the New Year bring you joy and prosperity; may you find meaning in your work and wonderful people in your lives.

Gratitude attracts Gratitude. Let’s be grateful for the wonderful people in our lives.

Love and gratitude,

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WE THRIVE TOGETHER

If you are looking for a safe place to talk about anxiety at work and mental health, please join us at?We Thrive Together?This is a free community that Adrian and I have started to help people who suffer from anxiety themselves or are managing people who are feeling anxious, burnout, and stress. We share ideas and show up for each other, and everyone is welcome.

ANXIETY AT WORK PODCAST

It's a proven fact that you can't be in a state of anxiety and gratitude at the same time! Each week, my coauthor and dear friend,?Adrian Gostick?and I talk to some of the world’s leading authorities on mental health and explore the causes of workplace stress and anxiety, along with practices that are proven to reduce tension and cultivate calm. Our latest episode of?Anxiety at Work?podcast is with Rachel Druckenmiller, Founder and CEO, Unmuted Life. This is an extra special episode because this guest sings!

I am grateful for my new friends in Moscow! Working with Sergey and his virtual team was more fun than humans should be allowed! Don’t you just love working with good people?You can never have too many good people in your life. Who are you grateful for today?#findyourgratitude?#leadingwithgratitude #gratitude

IN THE BOOK CORNER

Creating a culture of learning and growth by Whitney Johnson

Growth is the goal. Helping people develop their potential—enabling them to articulate and become the self they want to be, are capable of being, and that best serves them and others in the short and long term—is what we as individuals and leaders strive toward.

Ships Jan 11th - pre-order your copy today.

Chester Elton has spent two decades helping clients engage their employees to execute on strategy, vision, and values. His work is supported by research with more than 1 million working adults, revealing the proven secrets behind high-performance cultures and teams. He and his coauthor, Adrian Gostick are the founders of The Culture Works, a global coaching, speaking, and training company.

Leading with Gratitude?& Anxiety at Work?are available wherever you like to get your books.?Visit?Leading with Gratitude Book?for free resources including videos, podcast episodes, and more, to help you build a culture of gratitude.