Thanksgiving is almost here, and while it’s common to think about what you’re thankful for in your personal life, having an attitude of gratitude for your professional life can also help you realize just how much you have to be thankful for.
Being grateful helps people feel more positive emotions, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.
According to the Coach Foundation, 88 percent of people say that expressing gratitude to colleagues makes them feel happier and more fulfilled. Another 81 percent said they would work harder for a grateful boss.
Your Team
Without your team of employees, you wouldn’t be where you are today. These individuals have bought into your vision and helped you execute it. They are also the face of your company and represent your brand well. Having a team you can count on is something to never overlook, as they help you take your business to the next level.
You can let your team know how much they mean to you in a number of ways.
Your Customers
Likewise, having a loyal customer base is truly a blessing. If you’re like many companies in the industry, your clients are often referring additional work to you and have been with you through the years. The cost of acquiring new customers is five times higher than the cost of retaining your existing customers, so having strong customer retention can also increase your profits.
Even sending out something as simple as thank you cards to customers can help you realize just how many of your clients have been steadfast supporters of your business.
Your Peers
If you have attended any industry event lately, you know how open your fellow landscape professionals are when it comes to sharing their tips to success. Rather than having to reinvent the wheel, you can call up fellow NALP members and talk through similar challenges you are facing. It is truly a wonderful thing to work in a trade where everyone wants one another to succeed.
Make a point of reaching out to some of your peers who have helped you in the past to thank them for their guidance. Also, be willing to aid others who come to you for advice as they grow their businesses.
Making a Difference
It can be easy to take what you do for granted, but not everyone has a career where they are able to make a positive impact each and every day. As a landscape professional, you are a steward of the environment. You create and care for green spaces that allow others to enjoy being outside while protecting natural resources.
You are also able to craft places that future generations will be able to enjoy. As the old proverb goes, “Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” Take pride in the legacy you and your company are able to leave behind in these spaces.
Getting to Work Outside
Another unique aspect of the landscape industry is the ability to work outside, which is a factor that has attracted many to this field. While there are days of heat, cold or other unfavorable weather conditions, there are also those beautiful days you get to spend outside, enhancing the environment versus being stuck behind a desk.
Next time you’re spending a day outside working, take a minute to pause and enjoy the little things.
