Why I fake gratitude

I just got back from delivering a talk to leaders at Dow Jones. I was going on and on about the researched benefits of gratitude for example*:

• It makes you happier
• It reduces depression
• You exercise more
• You feel less physical pain
• Your relationships are better
• You're more resilient and optimistic
• You generally like your life more

Gratitude Wall

Sounds pretty good, right?

We even made this beautiful wall of everyone's gratitude on post-it notes.

Then I admitted my dirty little secret, I frequently FAKE gratitude.

What do I mean by that?

Well, I know that writing down what you're grateful for every night is good for you, for the above reasons.

But often, when I start writing my gratitude list, I'm not in the mood. I start by capturing stuff "I know" I should be grateful for like:

• My family, friends, and our health
• Having a roof over my head and food to eat
• The speaking event went well

"Blah, blah, blah," my mind will normally say. I still feel grumpy and tired.

I have to force myself to keep writing, going through my mental files, searching for what morsels I can capture on paper.

But I go on to write down more:

• Feeling connected with my audience, us all laughing together
• I did a 15 minute HIIT workout the morning of my talk (which normally I'd skip)
• I have clients who I genuinely care for and really like
• My husband made me a delicious vegetarian burrito while I got to cuddle with my daughter, Linor, and watch cartoons
• Linor said she loved me more than all the pine needles in our plastic Hanukah bush (yes, it's still up!)
• Sean, on my team, who has my back and manages all of the stuff that overwhelms me

Ok, now something is starting to stir. It's as if I got on an elevator in my head, and am traveling down, finally arriving at my heart.

The cranky, blah-ness has faded. I feel love coursing through my bones. I feel my heart humming. I feel my eyes water.

I've arrived at what gratitude is all about.

Yes, I initially faked it. Just like going to the gym (which I'm never eager to do), I drag myself into gratitude.

But after doing a few repetitions, I get in the zone.

So if you're like me, don't get discouraged if you're not always zesty with the thrill of your life every single freakin' moment.

Just pause and write the three things you're grateful for right now and why.

And if you're still feeling "meh, whatever" keep writing and don't stop until you've arrived. Depending on the day and what you have going on, this may take another five to ten minutes.

Yeah, minutes.

It doesn't take that long to realize how blessed you already are. Right now.

With love and in gratitude,
Stella

P.S. Hit reply and let me know if you end up giving gratitude a whirl after reading this and how it goes!

*You can read more about the research on gratitude here.

What is Stella up to?

Q1 2020 has me fired up!

So far I've gotten to speak for Cigna, Dow Jones, BizLibrary, and WELCOA. Coming up later this month is Comcast, WellRight, and Happify.

The best part of all this is the people I work with and that I get to meet. In between, I'm coaching leaders who are having awesome breakthroughs!

For example, one of my clients just mastered saying, "no" to projects she can't take on.

Another client, told me after a grueling year of burnout, "Stella, I'm HAPPY at work and feel HEALTHY."

And another is excitedly planning focus groups for her side hustle. Lots to celebrate!!!

Stella Grizont founded Woopaah because life is too precious to be bored or miserable behind the desk.

As a speaker and executive coach, Stella Grizont works with overachievers who are seeking deeper career fulfillment and with organizations who are dedicated to elevating the well-being of their employees.

In the last 15 years, Stella has coached over 1,600 individuals in over 27 countries. Some of Stella's corporate clients include Google, Johnson & Johnson, VMWare, and Genentech.

Her unique approach to being happier and more engaged on the job has been featured on MSNBC, The Today Show, NPR, Entrepreneur, and Vanity Fair. Stella was one of the first 150 people in the world to earn a master in Applied Positive Psychology (aka the science of happiness) from the University of Pennsylvania.

She lives in New Jersey with her husband and daughter, who continue to teach her what life is all about.

Want to work with Stella? Let's chat.