Let Gratitude Be Your Guide
I read a great article by Geoffrey James, “True Secret to Success (It’s Not What You Think)” in Sales Source. I really connected with this article because in 2009 when many of us were affected by the recession, I had to become grateful for what I had in my personal and professional life. I was applying for jobs and was only able to find a part time role as an Assistant Manager. I was frustrated that a 4 year degree and a few years of experience only led me to a part time gig. It would have been easier for me to be negative and complain about what I thought I should be doing. But I choose to be positive in my outlook and appreciate having a job when many did not. And I have worked very hard to continue to be positive and grateful in every aspect of my life. A positive perspective is a rare quality in this day and age, and one that is, as Geoffrey puts it, a ‘True Secret to Success.’
Geoffrey James says: “I’m utterly convinced that the key to lifelong success is the regular exercise of a single emotional muscle: gratitude. People who approach life with a sense of gratitude are constantly aware of what’s wonderful in their life. Because they enjoy the fruits of their successes, they seek out more success. And when things don’t go as planned, people who are grateful can put failure into perspective.”
Geoffrey goes on to say, “By contrast, people who lack gratitude are never truly happy. If they succeed at a task, they don’t enjoy it. For them, a string of successes is like trying to fill a bucket with a huge leak in the bottom. And failure invariably makes them bitter, angry, and discouraged.”
From the humble opinion of a Chemical Industry Recruiter, be grateful for the present, while maintaining optimism for the future and be sure to tell others thank you along the way. People like positive people! Fact! Being positive goes a long way in one’s professional and personal life.