Reduce Job Transition Stress by Accessing the Power of Gratitude - Sterling Career Concepts

Reduce Job Transition Stress by Accessing the Power of Gratitude Reduce Job Transition Stress by Accessing the Power of Gratitude One of my recent posts shared ways to help cope with a job transition, one of which was letting go of how things were supposed to be. Learning to appreciate and have gratitude for what we have is not always easy, but it can increase your inner peace and manage your stress level. This can help in the midst of a job transition, notably one of the most stressful life situations. Long-term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positive, appreciative attitude contributes to such things as greater success in work, greater health, peak performance in sports and business, a higher sense of well-being, and even a faster rate of recovery from surgery. While we may acknowledge gratitude’s many benefits, it can still be difficult to sustain. So many of us are trained to notice what is broken, undone or lacking in our lives. For gratitude to meet its full healing potential in our lives, it needs to become more than just words. We have to learn a new way of looking at things and developing a new habit takes time. That’s why practicing gratitude makes so much sense. When we practice giving thanks for all we have, instead of complaining about what we lack, we give ourselves the chance to see all of life as an opportunity and a blessing. Remember that gratitude isn’t a blindly optimistic approach in which the bad things in life are whitewashed or ignored. It’s more a matter of where we put our focus and attention. Negative things exist in this world, but when we focus on the positive, we gain a feeling of wellbeing and balance. There are many things to be grateful for during a job transition: a supportive network, a spouse or significant other who listens and really hears, good health, a new interview lined up, or additional time to earn a new professional certification or pursue one of your passions. What’s on your list? Four ways to start practicing gratitude today: Keep a gratitude journal in which you list things for which you are thankful. You can make daily, weekly or monthly lists. Greater frequency may be better for creating a new habit, but just keeping that journal where you can see it will remind you to think in a grateful way. Reading through your journal on some of your more frustrating days during a job search will help refocus you. Practice gratitude around the dinner table or make it part of your family’s nighttime routine. Find the hidden blessing in a challenging situation. Admittedly, this may be hard to do in certain scenarios, but looking for the silver lining in any cloud is a good practice to implement and pass on to your children. When you feel like complaining, make a gratitude list or read through your gratitude journal instead. You may be amazed by how much better you feel. As you practice, an inner shift will begin to occur, and you may discover new feelings of contentment and hopefulness. That sense of fulfillment is gratitude at work boosting your spirits during a job transition.