Creativity in Gratitude
/It’s the season of Thanksgiving. Kids’ backpacks return stuffed with smudged palm print turkey art. Belts loosen a notch or two. We might scramble to wrap up year-end projects, succumbing to the frenzy of activity before shifting to a slower, reflective pace.
Being thankful can sometimes feel like another to-do item among a growing list of obligations. But especially in the face of hard times, practicing gratitude can be a port in the storm. It grounds us.
While meditating on reasons to be grateful is a personal process, modeling it publicly in our teams can create greater organizational mattering and belonging. You might share gratitude for the aroma of bold coffee in your favorite mug, the neighbor who brings in your packages during a rainstorm, or the relief of finally getting that team project to the finish line. Observing others’ sources of thanks can connect us to a shared human experience.
Different from administering praise or positive feedback across your team, sharing gratitude doesn’t require judgment or assessment. We set aside the notion that things are perfect— or even good. Gratitude invites us to accept what is and discover value in it.
How can gratitude fuel creativity? I’ll admit, creativity is often born out of dissatisfaction. We spot something that could be improved— maybe a product, service, or work process— and choose to get creative. We care enough to initiate a change: a change in mindset, approach, or in the solution itself. We apply our creativity with the core belief that things can get better.
When our creative approach starts from a foundation of gratitude, we’re not filling a gap of incompleteness. Nothing’s broken that needs fixing. Instead, we tap into our creative potential to enable new growth. Applying creativity transforms an idea and vision into something tangible and real.
As a creative exercise of gratitude, you might try to:
Close your eyes and sit with a situation that’s difficult. Next, consider what learning or insights could come from this situation. Reflect on the gratitude you have for this new opportunity to learn.
Look to your week ahead and envision ways you would like to express your creativity. Pick one area of focus— maybe it’s a presentation, a party you’re planning, or sketching out goals for 2024. What is the end product of that creative expression? How can you break away from your comfort zone and dial up your creativity to make something new and useful?
Pick one person in your life— perhaps a colleague at work, a friend you’ve recently leaned on, or a loved one who rarely gets the thanks they deserve. How might you share your gratitude for this person in a fresh, creative way?
Practicing gratitude builds more gratitude. Practicing creativity builds more creativity. The commitment to practice is key. We invite in feedback to enable change, acknowledging it’s worth the effort. We build on incremental progress. We can embrace the season of thankfulness by noticing the unique, ephemeral beauty of palm print turkey art, imperfections and all.