By: Jeff Smith
Wow, what a year. I am not sure how we got to late November!
I always take a moment to pause and reflect around Thanksgiving. I think we all need to do this more this year than in a normal year. Let’s start with a definition of gratitude from Oxford Dictionary:
“the quality of being thankful; readiness to
show appreciation for and to return kindness.”
What are you thankful for this Fall?
Who would you like to appreciate?
Who has shown you kindness that you would like to show gratitude towards?
I am thankful for good health. I am grateful for great doctors and health care providers that have worked so hard to save lives this year. I appreciate essential workers who have kept us fed and able to travel. I appreciate our teachers who have had to adapt to new and challenging to teach our children. I am thankful for our clients, who have still asked us to work with them during these challenging economic times. I appreciate all the leaders we work with that have been pushed out of their comfort zone this year and still led their organization so well.
What are you looking forward to with the rest of the year and in 2021?
I am looking forward to having all the family together for the holidays. I am looking forward to being able to safely visit my parents and other family members. I am hopeful that travel becomes an option in 2021, so we can get back to experiencing the great places in the world and meeting the interesting people that come with it.
I am dejected about all the talented people that we lost this year, from Kobe Bryant to Alex Trebek. We’ve all experienced some sort of loss this season, and I am saddened by the many beautiful people around the world who have lost the fight to Covid-19. I lost my close friend, Kin Headley, to brain cancer in November. I will miss his smiles, dancing, singing and zest for life. However, I choose to be grateful that all of these wonderful people were in my life. Who are you missing this fall?
I will close with an exercise I use with my coaching clients and leaders. It is called a GAP analysis. I suggest doing this daily. Some start their days with it. Others finish the day with it. Here is what it stands for—
G—What are you grateful for? Make sure to say thanks for this.
A—Who do you appreciate? Great, now go tell them.
P—What are you proud of? Who helped make this possible? Let them know!
Have a great Thanksgiving. Take time to connect with family and friends and be sure to count you blessings!
