The photo above is of my church in Cold Spring Harbor on Long Island (NY). I bought a big print (on wood!) of this photo for my husband for Christmas but couldn't wait to give it to him so he's already seen it.
I asked local photographer Sean Mills if I could use it online for this post and I'm so grateful he agreed so you can share in my awe of the beauty that surrounds us.
Truly, it's been a hard year for a lot of us.
The economy is a roller coaster, layoffs are happening en masse, and Covid is still a significant factor in many people's lives (not to mention all the other bugs we've been dealing with).
When things are really tough, I try to remember to draw on all the things I've learned about the power of gratitude.
There's a lot of scientific research about the psychological benefits of being grateful, but all you really need to know is that it's good for you and it helps you develop a positive mindset when you're not feeling great.
There's a lot of scientific research about the psychological benefits of being grateful, but all you really need to know is that it's good for you and it helps you develop a positive mindset when you're not feeling great.
So think about some of the things you might be grateful for in your professional life. Maybe there's someone you really enjoy working with or who makes your job easier. Or maybe you are passionate about your company's mission despite the challenges.
I like to take a breather for a “gratitude moment” at the end of my workday — or even in the middle when I'm feeling rushed from meeting to meeting and don't even have time for a bathroom break between calls.
This year, I am especially grateful for my network of current and former clients and colleagues. I have been so blessed to be able to work with smart, funny, and kind humans and I hope that I have much more of that in the future.
What are you grateful for? Let me know in the comments.
Maura Charles is the founder of Keep it Human. As a Product Leadership Coach and Consultant, she is on a mission to help teams and organizations embrace human skills like communication and emotional intelligence in their ways of working.
She brings 25 years of experience as an editor, product manager, and digital business leader to bear on the challenges of building human-centered high-performing tech teams.
If you'd like to develop more human business and tech teams that hum together to drive results, check out Keep it Human and follow Maura Charles on LinkedIn.