Why Gratitude Matters and How to Use It: The Key to a Fulfilling Creative Life
What are you most thankful for?
(Spoiler Alert: Survey says it’s not "work")
With the holidays fast approaching (and Mariah Carey defrosted for another season of constant Christmas music), I’ve been thinking more these days about gratitude.
In 2020, a survey of over 1,200 Americans by Lifeway asked what they were thankful for.
The results were fascinating.
Top 10 survey results (from most thankful down):
Family (84%)
Health (69%)
Friends (63%)
Memories (63%)
Personal Freedom (53%)
Stability (47%)
Fun Experiences (45%)
Opportunities (42%)
Achievements (33%)
Wealth (21%)
There’s a pattern here.
Do you see it?
Nowhere on the list can the words “job,” “career,” or “work” be found.
I’d say there’s a disconnect here between what we spend a third of our lives doing (work) and what we’re thankful for (everything else).
It got me thinking…
How important is it to be grateful as a creative pro?
Today, let’s dive in to:
What gratitude is
What the science says about gratitude and its benefits
The importance of gratitude as a creative pro
How we can improve our gratitude at work
What is gratitude?
Gratitude is more than what you might think.
I bet you’re polite.
I bet you help little, old ladies cross the street.
I bet you hold open the door behind you.
I bet you say “thank you.”
But gratitude is a step beyond the polite.
—
Gratitude can present itself as a feeling or an emotion.
To be grateful is to acknowledge life’s blessings and use that energy to fuel you.
In other words, Gratitude is a mindset.
—
Take these two sentences:
I have to work today on a project at the office.
I get to design a project today that will inspire those who use it.
Both can be true. But only one of them is outwardly grateful. There is a joyful light to the second mindset that elevates the creative process beyond making a widget. The grateful mindset is one of optimistic service.
The Science of Gratitude
Gratitude isn’t just a practice for those who are already happy.
Several studies have shown that gratitude can be a significant factor in building happiness.
It can improve our mental and physical health as well.
According to Psychology Today, grateful people:
Feel less pain
Feel less stress
Suffer insomnia less
Have stronger immune systems
Experience healthier relationships
Do better academically and professionally
That means gratitude can make us more resilient in the short AND long term.
Gratitude as a Creative Pro
I’m an Architect.
As an Architect, I’ve dedicated my time to learning a creative craft and using it to make things that help people.
As I gain more experience, I lose the need to prove myself. I’ve naturally become more grateful for what I’m able to do as I get older. I’m fortunate to have an opportunity to practice architecture.
That gratitude comes from two places:
First, I recognize that I have been afforded a great opportunity that many others have not. I went to a great school. I’ve had several great jobs. I’m making great things every day.
Second, I recognize that every project and its respective cast of characters is unique and fleeting. I will never work on the same project twice. I will never have exactly the same team working with exactly the same consultants, owners, stakeholders, etc.
Combined, these two ideas continue to fuel my gratitude each day I get to go to work and play in the sandbox that is Architecture.
How to Improve Your Gratitude at Work
If you want to be more grateful, you need to practice gratitude.
It’s simple, but not always easy.
That’s especially true in the one place the Lifeway survey didn’t even care to mention—work.
Here are 7 ways to get you started on the gratitude journey.
Check-in With Yourself at Project Milestones - As a project phase ends, note who you got to work with, what you’ve accomplished recently, and who you’re thankful for as part of the process.
Focus on a Person’s Intentions - This is a game-changer for me. I know someone will likely make mistakes on my team during a project. But I also know with 99.9% certainty that they didn’t do it deliberately. Whenever something goes awry, consider the intentions of the person affected and keep things in perspective. No sense crying over spilled milk. Keep moving.
Verbalize Your Appreciation of Team Efforts - If someone contributes positively to a project, solves a difficult problem, or makes a concerted effort to help the process—make sure they know they’re appreciated. Bonus points if you say it out loud AND in front of others.
Write Thank You Notes - Pick a cadence. The end of the year or the end of a project. Write out the reasons you appreciate someone you’re working with. Try to make it specific to an experience you’ve shared rather than a generic, boilerplate thank you.
Thank Someone Mentally - If you don’t have time or the person is unavailable, make a mental note that you’re grateful for them. The positive effect of saying this to yourself will resonate with your work.
Journal Your Gratitude - Dedicate a journal for gratitude specifically and write a line or passage in it every day about something you’re grateful for. Alternatively, dedicate an entry in your regular journal now and again to gratitude.
Pay it Forward - One of the reasons I’ve been successful in my career so far is because of those who took the time to mentor and help me. Gratitude can come in many forms, but one of the most effective ways to express it is to help someone behind you move ahead. Volunteer for study groups, career days, or 1-on-1 chats that could make all the difference in their journey.
Final Thoughts
Gratitude is a path to better mental and physical health.
And not for nothing—it feels damn good to be grateful.
“Work” may not be explicitly at the top of everyone’s lists of things they’re thankful for.
But if you prioritize gratitude, it will pay for itself ten times over.
Gratitude will improve your relationship with work, the people you work with, and the creative energy you bring into the world.
TL; DR
Gratitude isn’t just good manners.
Gratitude can improve mental and physical health
Express gratitude for the projects and teams that will never be the same
Build up your gratitude through check-ins, verbal/written expression, and paying it forward
Quote of the Week
Motivation for the days ahead of you.
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”
– Epictetus
SideNote: Thank you for reading. I’m extremely grateful you’re a part of this community and have taken time out of your busy schedule to read this week’s essay.
That's all for now.
Stay creative, my friends—and have a great week!
