Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM January 2019 | Page 36

Business of Leadership Leaders Train For an Attitude of Gratitude By: Bonnie Benkula, BSHCA, MBA Serial Entrepreneur: Certified Coach, Mentor & Teacher, DISC Consultant - The John Maxwell TEAM Business Owner: CareBuilders at Home, FCBB Business Brokers [email protected] When leaders grow in their skill set they realize that their attitude is very powerful. As John Maxwell says, “Leadership is influence, influence is leadership, nothing more and nothing less.” Can you imagine the impact a leader with a negative attitude would have on production, moral and company growth? The holidays are an especially important time to show gratitude and a savvy leader will carry that attitude throughout the year. Combining great leadership skills with an attitude of gratitude is a powerful combination! When one has the foundation of gratitude at their core, they have the ability to remain flexible while leading with focus. Not always easy. Here are six, thirty second steps, you can practice to train your brain to focus on the good mindful management of your attitude of gratitude: 1. Look around for 15 seconds – Find what’s going right instead of what’s going wrong – you will find what you’re looking for every time! Take 15 seconds to cheer on those doing things right! 2. Now - Close your eyes for 15 seconds, breathe deeply and give thanks verbally out loud for 3 people in your life that have positively impacted you or opened doors for your success. Take 15 seconds to text them to tell them about your gratitude. 3. Today – Stop for 15 seconds two times & give away at least two sincere “thank you” to individuals who made your day better – your day will get even brighter. 4. This week – decide to change your own mind. Seek out that challenging person and leave a sticky note card telling them one thing you truly appreciate about them. Something such as, “I like your style.” You’ll be amazed at your influence and how the relationship can improve. 5. Right now – grab a piece of paper and write down the TOP 3 things in your life in which you are so thankful! 6. Now keep these close, visit them often, update and practice regularly. When leaders practice positive self-management their influence and overall impact expands exponentially. Practice makes habits. When one has the habit of an attitude of gratitude, amazing results occur around them and people follow them with loyalty. Don’t have time? Consider this – 3 minutes a day could literally change your brain health and the functioning of your most cellular functions. The latest brain research proves that even 30 seconds of gratitude, only six times a day, enables your neurons to fire together better and your brains wiring to become stronger. Just give yourself three minutes a day to train your brain to be more positive. Leaders train their brain for an attitude of gratitude -that’s what we do. MOMENTUM / January 2019 35