The other side of discontent is gratitude
As leaders, we spend so much time focused on what’s next — the next challenge, the next goal, the next improvement.
We can get stuck in discontent - focused on what's wrong.
Gratitude pulls in the opposite direction.
It slows us down just long enough to see what’s already good, already working, already here.
From that space, hope emerges. Generosity becomes easier.
The rainy hike becomes a symphony of sounds instead of a slog to the finish.
The challenging problem becomes a chance to value someone else’s talents.
Teams become more forgiving of mistakes and miscommunication, more able to navigate conflict, more open to new ideas.
Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard stuff, but it does bring clarity. And makes “what’s next” easier and more fun.
Practice: Choose Gratitude
Almost any time I catch myself feeling low, it’s become my habit to stop and list some gratitude. Here’s a start for today:
The warmth of my morning coffee
The softness of my dogs’ fur
Clean, running water
The friend of many years who takes me as I am
What are you grateful for? Say it out loud and see if you can really feel it.
Notice what shifts.
A Leader's Testimonial:
“Rachel’s work to help my team reset, gain insights and connect with each other was one of the most valuable things I did for the organization this past year.”
–Andrea Anderson
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