11 Tips for a More Thankful Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

This week, at many tables across the country, families will be sharing a meal and their thoughts on what they are thankful for. With everything that is shaking our world right now, it's important to stay mindful of the message of the holiday.

If you’re a coaching client of mine or have attended any of my programs on leadership, emotional intelligence, or peak performance, you already know that gratitude always makes the list of essential practices. Instead of rushing past Thanksgiving to get to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or the New Year, this is a perfect moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the true meaning behind this important holiday.

The practice of being grateful has become a foundational principle of positive psychology coaching and is based on the fact that you cannot hold two emotions at the same time. Thinking about things to be grateful for can help you feel better and keep the negative, anxious thoughts at bay. In addition, you train the reticular activating system (RAS) in your brain to start noticing more things to be thankful for and this ultimately brings more happiness your way. Choosing gratitude literally is a way to choose happiness. Hence, the phrase “happiness is a choice,” and the reason I chose the name, “Choice Training and Coaching Solutions”.

As we approach Thanksgiving Day, why not consider choosing one of these practices to stay connected to the true meaning of the holiday?

· Start or end each day listing 5-10 things you are thankful for

· Tell someone how much you appreciate them

· Give gratitude meditation a try

· List as many things as you can that you are thankful for when stopped at a red light

· Be thankful for the opportunity to learn something new

· Thank a co-worker

· Send a hand-written thank you note to someone who has really impacted your life

· Call a loved one and say thank you

· Give thanks for your health

· Start a gratitude journal

· Take a gratitude walk

It’s also important to remember to extend gratitude to the people we work with. Whether that includes employees, co-workers, managers, vendors, patients, or clients, we often spend as much time communicating with them as we do with our own families. A simple kind word or note of appreciation can go a long way. Let this season serve as a reminder of the impact a small gesture of gratitude can have. Now is the perfect time to set intentions for expressing thanks — and for boosting your positive-to-negative ratio (PNR) with colleagues, clients, and partners throughout the holiday season. Chances are, your team needs it now more than ever.

As I close this post, I would like to say “thank you” to you. Whether you are a coaching client, an attendee of one of my presentations, a colleague, a former co-worker, or someone I met through networking, I truly appreciate you. I know there are millions of places you can invest your energy and attention, and I’m glad you chose to invest it with me.

Wishing you and your families (relatives and work) a very Happy Thanksgiving and lots to be grateful for!!

With Gratitude,

Janine Friedman

Janine Friedman, Owner and founder of Choice Training and Coaching Solutions, Inc. is a leadership and career performance coach and holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation from the International Coaching Federation as well certifications in The Leadership Challenge and Peak Performance/Flow Coaching.

She has spent her 25+ year career dedicated to unlocking the full potential of individuals and teams. She empowers leaders to navigate challenges with confidence and inspire teams to reach new heights.

Through personalized coaching and dynamic workshops, she equips leaders with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in today's ever-evolving business landscape.

A large chunk of the work she does involves empowering executives to move past self-doubt and Imposter Syndrome so they can experience more success in their careers without giving up happiness in their lives.

To learn more about her background click here.    To schedule a 30-minute meeting to learn more about training or coaching for you or your team, click here.

Success is a Choice.