A few things to count on around Thanksgiving: good food and time to express gratitude. Most people have family, friends and well-being on their list, but take a moment to discover what work-related items to be thankful for as well. From management to competition, here are four surprising things to be grateful for at work:
Feedback:
Feedback shows people care. When others are invested in the success and future of another, they provide constructive criticism to help them improve. Be grateful to work in an environment where people care enough to speak up. Constructive criticism has hidden benefits, and although no one enjoys being criticized, it’s something to appreciate. With the right perspective, criticism can help professionals become more self-aware and determined to learn. Use every piece of feedback (positive or negative) to improve.
Competition:
Friendly competition is a great way to push, challenge and motivate one another to go above and beyond. Studies have shown that competition can increase physiological and psychological activation, which helps improve performance. Healthy competition fuels innovation, creativity and success. Professionals should find someone to look up to and use as motivation. Chase after their success and strive to do better.
Management:
Managers play an important part in their team’s success at work. Through their support, acknowledgement and leadership, bosses can be valuable mentors. If professionals look up to their boss, they should be thankful to have a role model they admire and respect. Take time to appreciate everything they do — and don’t be afraid to tell them! A well-written thank you note can go a long way.
Small Wins:
The power of small wins is often overlooked. When thinking about progress, many people fantasize about achieving a long-term goal or getting a big promotion. Although huge successes are great, they are few and far between. Focusing on minor milestones can significantly increase satisfaction in life and work. Small wins give the brain a boost in dopamine, a feel-good brain chemical linked with motivation. Concentrating on everyday accomplishments can help keep engagement high.
While reflecting on what to be grateful for this Thanksgiving, take time to reflect on work as well, and don’t forget about the things that are a little less obvious.
