The power of gratitude

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on gratitude — how it shapes our brain, strengthens connections with colleagues, and the benefits of building a ‘gratitude house’.

How gratitude changes our brain

What if there was a simple way to ease your stress, tackle challenges with confidence and supercharge your learning at the same time? Gratitude might be the key. It increases dopamine and serotonin, strengthens social bonds, regulates cortisol, and improves cognitive functions like focus and empathy — creating an ideal mindset for engagement and growth. Try integrating gratitude into your training design to foster learner positivity and engagement:

• Gamify gratitude: add activities that prompt learners to recognise achievements or share appreciation with peers, reinforcing neural pathways for positive emotions.
• Gratitude journaling: encourage daily reflections on progress to build resilience and reduce stress, supporting a positive learning mindset.
• Collaborative tasks: design exercises that promote teamwork and empathy, deepening connections while reinforcing gratitude’s brain benefits.

When learners feel appreciated and acknowledge others, they stay more engaged and motivated.

The power of thanks in advance

Facing tough tasks can drain even the most resilient teams, but there’s a surprising antidote: expressing gratitude before the task begins. Research shows this simple act eases negative emotions, fosters persistence, and boosts resilience. Imagine how this could transform learning experiences, where challenges are part of growth. Here’s how you could apply it:

• Starting a new training programme. Managers can thank participants upfront: ‘Thank you for engaging with this material. I know it’s a lot, but your efforts will pay off.’
• Team projects or skill-building exercises. Express appreciation for collaboration before the work begins to build camaraderie.
• Stretch assignments or new roles. Acknowledging the challenges upfront helps employees approach them with confidence and purpose.

To learn more about the power of gratitude in the workplace, read our article here.

Building a gratitude house

Starting something new can feel daunting, but what if you could walk into it feeling supported? The gratitude house exercise, as discussed in this podcast, is all about reflecting on the people who've helped you get to where you are. Whether it’s a teacher or a mentor who sees your potential, this reflection can build confidence and shift your mindset from “I’m alone” to “I’ve got a team.”?

Here’s how it works and when to try it:

• Reflect on who’s helped you before starting a new course or project.
• Do it before a performance review, goal-setting session, or big interview to centre yourself.
• Use it to combat imposter syndrome or celebrate a learning milestone.

Carrying those people with you — even metaphorically — can make all the difference in showing up as your best self.

Celebrate the season of giving with us

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to wish you a happy holiday season! ???

Last year, we started a tradition: instead of a holiday video, we donate the budget to charities that align with our vision — combining the power of learning with human potential to build a future where we can all thrive. This year, we’re proud to support:

1. Daisy Chain. A UK charity empowering neurodivergent individuals with inclusive, person-centred support.
2. Room to Read. A charity fostering literacy and life skills in children and girls from low-income communities.
3. Daughters of Tomorrow. A Singaporean charity helping low-income women secure sustainable employment.
4. Malala Fund. A global charity that champions every girl’s right to 12 years of free, safe education.

We’d love the donation share to reflect our wider community, so please take a moment to let us know which charity you would like to support by voting here.

Happy Holidays!

From all of us at Quadmark.