I’ve always thought it a shame that there’s no British or Italian version of Thanksgiving. Gathering the people you love around an elaborate dinner simply to appreciate the year that’s been is such a lovely tradition, and one I’d happily borrow.
So this month, I’m bringing a little of that spirit to my newsletter. Practising gratitude has made a real difference to my own health and happiness, and there’s plenty of research to back this up.
Below, I share how I’ve started applying it to my business too, along with three simple journaling prompts you can try for yours.I keep a little gratitude diary in my handbag and note down the interesting people and places I’ve encountered recently. I don’t write in it every day, but use it as a mood-booster when I need cheering up.
I’ve come to realise that gratitude is a valuable exercise as a business owner too.
It’s easy to focus on resolving the difficulties and challenges which pop up in the business, but taking stock of the resources we have and the results we’ve achieved can help us adopt a much more positive frame of mind.
November is one of the busiest months in my interpreting year, with a lovely mixture of assignments for long-standing clients and some exciting new opportunities.
There’s something particularly rewarding about opening my diary and seeing the names of organisations I first worked with five, ten or even fifteen years ago.
In interpreting, trust is built assignment by assignment. Being invited back year after year is something I never take for granted.
I’m also feeling thankful to my past self for all the hours of work it took to create this business: nurturing relationships, earning clients’ trust and gradually getting my name out there.
It’s not always easy to spend time marketing your business alongside client work – but it’s so worthwhile to push yourself forward, so you can reap the rewards further down the line.
When I’m struggling to find the time to post on LinkedIn, or sit down to write this newsletter, I remember that gratitude and think about how grateful my future self will be that I made the effort. It motivates me to keep promoting myself every day, even when ‘present me’ doesn’t feel like it.
Three journaling prompts to help you harness the power of gratitude in your business
1. What went well in my business this year? List every win, big or small, and take a moment to appreciate what you’ve achieved. What could you learn from these successes?
2. Who am I grateful for? Consider the clients, colleagues or suppliers who have made a positive difference to your business. How could you show your appreciation, nurture these relationships and attract more people like them into your business?
3. What will my future self be grateful for? Think about the actions you could take today that will benefit your business in 2027. Perhaps it’s investing in a new skill, nurturing a client relationship, tackling a task you’ve been putting off or making more time for yourself.