The Power of Gratitude: Fueling Success and Joy in Life and Business
Now that Thanksgiving is over, staying in a state of gratitude is essential. Just being grateful doesn’t make headlines for another eleven months, or your social media friends are not posting about it, science tells us how important it is to focus on remaining grateful. Please understand, that I think it is so cool to see an entire month filled with gratitude, I would like to see it in the other twelve months as well.
If you are going to master your success, you first understand that where your focus goes, your energy flows. When you focus on gratitude, you’re retraining your brain to default to positivity. That’s the energy you want to preserve while also releasing into the world.
Just think, according to the National Science Foundation, we have some 60,000 thoughts per day, and 80% of those thoughts are negative! 80%! That takes an immense amount of energy and is exhausting. There is very little energy left to allow a shift to happen!
I had breakfast with a student/friend/colleague recently and she was sharing about a very difficult experience she had in the workforce as a young person. She led with, “I am so grateful for the experience because I learned early to stay focused on my dreams.”
That is a good way of looking at a situation that, at the time, she believed was going to get her fired.
I, too, have my own story of being in a toxic work environment. I allowed it to take me to my knees, rob my self-esteem, and give up my self-worth, I could go on. It almost destroyed my personal life as well. I spent an immense amount of energy retelling and reliving the drama of it all.
Today, I stand in gratitude for the experience. Once I quit buying into the “story,” I began seeking the lessons. During my tenure, I found my voice, used my voice, and now own my voice. That is a life-changing lesson! I learned that nobody could make me feel inferior without my permission. Once I accepted that I had allowed that behavior, I could own it and move forward in my power.
The greatest learning came the day I was giving a presentation and led with the toxic work environment story. Suddenly, I realized and then took 100% responsibility for the experience. Did I deserve to be ignored, passed by, talked down, and kept in the dark about decisions? No!
However, I admitted at that very moment, that I took the job on 100% ego. Once I took responsibility, all the power I was giving to the situation, the people involved, and the drama I lived in disappeared; instantly. It was so freeing and to this very moment, I am grateful for the experience. It was what catapulted me to the work I do now. Which is to help people help themselves to pursue the very best version of themselves.
I am living proof that success comes when we take the power away from the other person by taking responsibility, even a very minimal amount, our dreams become reality, business begins to grow, results are realized and all the power is yours to keep.
Thank you for the gift you are to me personally, and my business professionally. If you are reading this, know that I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to know you and/or your work.
A Deeper Meaning of Gratitude
G – Growth: I’m grateful for the chance to connect and grow together—whether in business, mindset, or community.
R – Relationships: Relationships are the heart of success, and I’m honored to have yours in my life.
A – Abundance: Together, we create a ripple effect of abundance, possibilities, and opportunities.
T – Transformation: Every connection is a chance for transformation. Thank you for being part of this shared journey.
I – Inspiration: Your presence inspires me to keep growing, learning, and giving back.
T – Trust: Thank you for sharing insights and ideas with me—it’s a privilege I treasure.
U – Unstoppable: We are all unstoppable when we uplift and support each other. I’m grateful to be part of your circle.
D – Dedication: Whether in big moments or small, your dedication to success and growth shines through.
E – Empowerment: Our connections empower us to dream bigger, reach higher, and create lasting impact.
To everyone I’m connected with—here’s to continuing to grow and succeed together!
Always forward,
Derlene
Recent Comments