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Well, in the US it’s that time of the year that we all get together and give thanks. Thanksgiving was originally a time to come together and celebrate the harvest… to give thanks to the earth for her bounty.
It has definitely evolved over the years into a time for family and friends to come together and eat turkey, watch football, and plan holiday shopping. Ok, sometimes we give thanks too, but mostly we stuff our pie holes.
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Giving Thanks TO as well as FOR
Many times Thanksgiving is spent giving thanks FOR the things that we have. This is a terrific tradition. But this year, I’m hoping to encourage you to expand it a little bit. This year in addition to giving thanks for your things (extrinsic, tangible, measurable stuff), I propose that you take a few minutes to think about the intrinsic, infinitely valuable gifts that you have received… that others have brought to your life.
Let’s give thanks TO the people as well as FOR the things.
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Gratitude
When I think of the times that I feel most fulfilled, it doesn’t involve doing or getting “things”. It usually involves the joy that another human being has shared with me.
When I travel around the globe speaking to various organizations, I receive extrinsic value for my services. I receive monetary compensation, reimbursement for travel expenses, free meals, and sometimes even a speaker gift. All of these are value and I am thankful for them. However, what matters most to me are the people who come up to me or email me after my presentation and say that I have made a positive impact on their life. They simply thank me. It means so much to me because it helps me to become the person that I want to become and to discover and fulfill the mission I have for my life.
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Examples
So, let me give you a few examples from my life to help you think about how you may want to give thanks to someone who has positively impacted your life…
- To Mom & Dad: Thank you for being the wonderful parents that you are to me. Thank you for your loving discipline and acceptance, even when I did cockamamie things. You were always there for me.
- To Kim Jordan: Thanks for not only being a terrific basketball coach but also for believing in me when I saw no reason for it. Your belief in me carried me far in life.
- To Pete, Harvey & Dave: Thanks for teaching and mentoring me in neuro-axiology. The principles and practices that you have taught me changed my life and have allowed me to accomplish more than I thought possible.
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Your Turn
I could go on, but now it’s your turn. Who has had a positive, maybe even life-changing impact on your life?
Write them a letter.
Give them a call.
Thank them for who they are and what they have meant to you.
Give thanks not only FOR, but TO your loved ones… your co-workers… your team members… your neighbors and service providers…
Give thanks to them for WHO THEY ARE not just what they do.
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One Last Thing
Last, but definitely not the least… I want to encourage you to give thanks to the other VERY important person in your life… YOU!
What gifts, talents, skills, attributes, and characteristics do you possess? Thank yourself for bringing that unique combination to the world.
- Are you a people-person? empathetic? intuitive?
- Are you good at getting things done? practical? pragmatic?
- Are you organized, systematic, a planner?
- Are you self-confident? self-aware? self-motivated? self-determined?
You are the only person in the whole wide world who has your unique blend of skills, talents, attributes and gifts. Thank you for sharing them with us. The world is a better place because you are in it and I, for one, want to give thanks to you!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
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Recommended Reading
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
If you have heard me speak recently, you know that I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a leader, executive, manager, parent, etc. If you influence others, this is a must read!!
Daniel Pink explains and gives examples of how and why the principles of axiology really do WORK!
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Thinking Ahead
What would you like to change in 2011?
- More self confidence?
- Less procrastination?
- More emotional control?
- Less stress?
- More joy?
- Greater sense of purpose?
We can help you with all of this and more!
Everything you do comes from a thought.
Neuro-axiology is about learning how to respond to your own thinking.
This process allows you to create better habits in a short period of time by learning how to use your natural thinking and valuing strengths. Not only is it logical and makes sense, it’s powerful and works!
As you are planning ahead for 2011, I would like you to consider one of our coaching programs. Click here to fill out a form indicating your interests. There’s no obligation.
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