Healthcare is an industry overflowing with rewarding but often thankless work. We all know however, that a little bit of gratitude can go a long way – at the workplace, in your schools, and inside your HOSA organization. Here are a few suggestions of HOW to infuse thankfulness into your environment – and WHY you will want to start doing so right away.
- Begin and end meetings with a word of thanks. A simple “Thanks for taking the time to be here today” and “Hey, that was a great meeting – thanks for all your help and input” can set the tone for current (and future) work. People who feel seen and appreciated are more likely to work diligently and cheerfully.
- If you think something kind – say it. We are often slow to speak when expressing thanks or complimenting others – but appreciation is a habit that is in our best interest to cultivate. The more normal it feels to speak up, the easier it becomes – and the more likely the people around you will start sharing their gratitude with others as well.
- Keep track of the positive. This can be a personal list or something posted publicly in a classroom setting – encouraging people to take note of the “wins” will build camaraderie and help maintain momentum when facing challenges.
- Be specific. This can be time consuming to do in a large group – but classrooms and officer teams can really benefit from taking the time to specifically thank members for what they bring to the table. You can take turns sharing out loud, focusing on one person at a time – or you can write each person’s name on a blank sheet of paper and have everyone spend some time thanking each other for the strengths they bring to the group. It sounds a little cheesy, and may feel that way at first, but pausing to give and receive positive feedback aids in creating a collaborative environment.
Thankfulness makes people happier. It may seem like common sense – thinking about positive things makes us feel better than focusing on negative things – but it is amazing how easy this is to forget. Thankfulness is also incredibly disarming – situations that might turn confrontational can often be diffused by sincere gratitude and understanding.
Cultivating a mindset of gratitude as you work within your schools, jobs and HOSA events will increase commitment, connection, and performance.
