Coaching Corner: The power of gratitude
By Marilou Butcher Roth, Master Coach
Last week was Thanksgiving, a holiday that brings families together to enjoy the festivities. Many families have adopted the idea of expressing what each have to be thankful for. My mother attempted this with our family many years ago, and I remember how much I disliked the process of each person struggling to come up with a sufficient item upon which to bestow our gratitude. Gratitude...appreciation...thankfulness -- no matter which word stands out for you, it all comes down to the same thing.
Here’s the problem -- most of us take our wonderful life for granted, even the basics!
My husband and I attended a class this week on gratitude and, to be honest, I was quite humbled with the information. You see, I have considered myself to be a grateful, appreciative person, operating primarily in a positive light. What I found was I have a long way to go to improve upon this.
During the class there was a slide with words from Helen Keller. Although I do not have the exact quote, it drove home how those of us with sight take seeing for granted. And, those of us who hear, take hearing for granted. I realized that even with having what I considered a great degree of self-awareness, there is so much that I overlook on a daily basis.
When you appreciate, you are actually benefiting yourself in a very powerful way. Statistically, most humans slide into negativity much easier than going positive. We tend to respond more quickly to what we don’t want or don’t like. How can we position ourselves onto the track that brings more positivity? With appreciation!!!
This week, begin your day appreciating your body -- your ability to see, hear, smell, feel, and think. Give gratitude for your ability to move your body. Fill yourself with thanks and then move out into your day, focusing your attention on what you can appreciate. It takes practice, more than you might anticipate. Don’t get discouraged, just keep at it. When you notice something about someone (look for it), express it to them. Do not make anything up -- there are countless things to notice that you can authentically find to appreciate.
As you turn in at night, reflect back upon your appreciations -- fall into sleep in a space of gratitude rather than worry!! Enjoy!!
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
