A Happy Heart

Today, I want to share a little inspiration that came my way during lunch. I got a fortune cookie with a message that said, “A happy heart makes for a happy life.” It’s a simple yet profound thought. Here’s the fortune, in case you’re curious.

I really believe in that idea, but it also made me pause and reflect. You might naturally ask, “If a happy heart makes for a happy life, what makes for a happy heart?” For me, the answer is gratitude.

Gratitude has become a daily practice for me. Each morning, I take a moment to reflect on the things I’m truly grateful for. I think about my health, having a job that I love, being surrounded by people who care about me and whom I care about in return. I picture each of these blessings in my mind.

Starting the day with this exercise helps me acknowledge the good in my life, and I’ve found it almost impossible to feel gratitude without also feeling a happy heart. Even in challenging moments, a sense of appreciation can shift my perspective and brighten my outlook.

Leaders can apply gratitude to their work as well. Here are three simple ways to do that:

• Start meetings with one positive note: Begin with a quick moment of appreciation for a recent win or effort. This sets a grounded and upbeat tone. In keeping with best practices around feedback, make sure your feedback is specific, and talk about how the win relates to higher level goals.
• Share one gratitude message each week: Send a short note to a team member who made a difference. Small acknowledgments can build strong trust. Don’t underestimate the power of even a brief note (and I prefer the handwritten ones) to truly change someone’s day or week.
• Encourage others to do the same: Creating a culture of gratitude starts from the top, and you can share your own practices with others to encourage them to do the same.