Keynote Speaker Feature: The Power of Thank You! by Positive Strategy Expert Jon Gordon

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’d love to share with you the benefits and power of two simple words. THANK YOU.

There are two words that have the power to transform our health, happiness, athletic performance and success. Research shows that grateful people are happier and more likely to maintain good friendships. A state of gratitude, according to research by the Institute of HeartMath, also improves the heart’s rhythmic functioning, which helps us to reduce stress, think more clearly under pressure and heal physically. It’s actually physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time. When you are grateful, you flood your body and brain with emotions and endorphins that uplift and energize you rather than the stress hormones that drain you.

Gratitude and appreciation are also essential for a healthy work environment. In fact, the number one reason why people leave their jobs is because they don’t feel appreciated. A simple ‘thank you’ and a show of appreciation can make all the difference. Gratitude is like muscle. The more we do with it, the stronger it gets.

In this spirit, here are 4 ways to practice Thanksgiving every day of the year.

1. Take a Daily ‘Thank You’ Walk – I wrote about this in The Energy Bus. Take a simple 10-minute walk each day and say out loud what you are thankful for. This will set you up for a positive day.

2. Meal Time ‘Thank You’s’ – On Thanksgiving, or just at dinner with your friends and family, go around the table and have each person, including the kids at the little table, say what they are thankful for.

3. Gratitude Visit – Martin Seligman, Ph.D., the father of positive psychology, suggests that we write a letter expressing our gratitude to someone. Then we visit this person and read them the letter. His research shows that people who do this are measurably happier and less depressed a month later.

4. Say ‘Thank You’ at Work – When Doug Conant was the CEO of Campbell Soup, he wrote approximately 30,000 ‘thank you’ notes to his employees and energized the company in the process. Energize and engage your co-workers and team by letting them know you are grateful for them and their work. And don’t forget to say thank you to your clients and customers too.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I’m thankful for YOU.

 Jon Gordon is one of the Top 10 Influencers & Thought Leadership Speakers You Should Know for 2012-2013

Go ahead … click the Eagle.

To check fees and availability on Jon Gordon call Eagles Talent Speakers Bureau at 1.800.345.5607.