Duck Alumni Career Blog

November 25, 2015

~ A "Letters from Silicon Valley" Series ~

All other things being equal, most hiring managers and colleagues would rather work with a happy person than an unhappy person. Research shows that being appreciative has many benefits, including increased happiness. Here are some tips to help you become even more grateful: 

  1. Keep a Gratitude Journal. Take a moment every day to write down something good that happened or that you appreciated.
  2. Answer the following two questions:
    a.  “What have I received from ________?”
    b.  “What have I given to ________?”
  3. Remember the bad. To be grateful, it sometimes helps to remember the hard times and how you overcame them. The contrast in your mind between the bad and good times can help you be more grateful.
  4. Appreciate the natural world. Go outside; take a dose of Nature RX.
  5. Volunteer. Giving back feels good and it can be a reminder of how fortunate you are.
  6. Image your life without someone or something that you love, even if that person or thing sometimes causes difficulties. Learning not to take people or things for granted is a proven way to increase your feelings of gratitude.
  7. Say “Thank you” to someone. Maybe take a moment to write to or tell someone something that you appreciate about them.
     


May you have much success cultivating an attitude of gratitude. Thank you for reading this post.

Warm regards,
Humberto

Go Ducks!

Contact:
humberto@chacon.us