Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude

Hiscox author series: Being grateful is a powerful component to making your small business a success.

Being grateful is another often overlooked powerful component of being successful. My Mom always taught me to say thank you sincerely when someone helped me or did something nice for me. I have found that this applies in business as well! For example, I take the time to personally thank a colleague who has referred a client to me or was kind enough to give me advice when I needed it most. Often things don’t work the way you want.

How can you shift your focus to considering what’s actually working well? For example, I once offered a workshop on networking for introverts. I thought it was a wonderful idea. However, not only did the workshop not fill, no one even called to find out about it! I was disappointed but grateful that this seeming failure helped me discover another way to reach introverts … writing an article or a blog.

Also, when I encourage clients to approach all business dealings with an attitude of gratitude, and shift their focus of attention to what is working well, they are able to see some new possibilities previously overlooked.

Think of gratitude as a container that is large enough to hold new perspectives and possibilities to get you where you want to go as well as old ideas that still work! What you have done so far is a stepping stone to move beyond limiting belief and see broader options for your business. While you’re at it, thank your clients and customers for choosing to do business with you. Give it a try and let us know how having an attitude of gratitude has worked for your small business. Susan Urquhart-Brown is owner of Career Steps Coaching and author of The Accidental Entrepreneur: The 50 Things I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me About Starting a Business. To learn more, follow her on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook.