Growing with Gratitude.
Hi There,
I was engaged in a routine colleague check-in call last week, when she asked a question that surprised me.
“Leslie” asked if I’d always been this wise. When I looked startled and lost, she followed up with, “Have you always had perspective and gratitude?”
Instantly, my brain did a couple of things. First, it kind of gushed (Aw, shucks.) What a compliment coming from a person I highly respect! Secondly, my inner critic Eve made herself known, chiming in: “If Leslie only knew how foolish I really am…”
Since I was taken off guard, I answered the easy part of the question. After all, I’ve had a gratitude practice since before I had acne. Thankfully, our conversation then veered elsewhere. But I considered Leslie’s question on the following day’s exercise march.
Since someone I admire highlighted these qualities that I appreciate in others, I knew I could learn from considering her question. So, I marinated on the wisdom and perspective aspects of Leslie’s inquiry judiciously, without ego. And with perspective, I started to giggle out loud, realizing I’d learned to zoom out to gain perspective in my early 20’s! (This was long before Zoom or even Google Maps!)
One of my mottos during my restaurant years was, “If this is the worst thing that happens today, it’s a pretty good day.” This covered matters as stressful as staff not arriving for their shifts, GUESTS not showing up for their reservations, too many guests at once, the kitchen exhaust fan quitting in the middle of a Saturday dinner service, and a chef walking out in the middle of a Friday lunch service. This list would be endless to represent all the times my slogan applied.
And along with perspective, I can also own “wise”, retrospectively. I AM wise because I CHOOSE to practice gratitude and perspective. I actively practice the growth mindset and I have the wisdom to learn from my mistakes. By default, this means I don’t strive for the phantom “perfect”. Every flat-out failure is an opportunity to learn.
Looking back at Leslie’s question with the growth mindset, I recognize that her three descriptors are brilliant.
Allow me to reframe her question for you (and for myself): “How can I become wiser, gain perspective more quickly and more fully embody gratitude?” By way of these questions, get ready to grow!
Cheers!
-Deborah
Deborah Goldstein
DRIVEN Professionals / Forbes / Linkedin
info@drivenpros.com | LinkedIn
DRIVEN Professionals, 35 Adrienne Lane, Garrison, NY 10524