990 words of content including nine habits to nurture Gratitude, and five leadership tips. Approximate reading time required: 3.96 minutes. And isn't your Happiness worth it?

Welcome to my e-newsletter, which focuses on defining and applying the Principles of Happiness and Positive Emotion in your life and work.

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1. Gratitude Reprised
2. Commerce Division: Happiness Online
3. In the Workplace: The ROI of Gratitude
4. About the Coach

{Note: If you are reading this on/before 16-Nov, I invite you to listen live to "Giving Thanks" on the Regina Brett show tonight. See details in Section II.}

As the American Thanksgiving holiday approaches, our thoughts turn to Giving Thanks and the emotion of Gratitude. This emotion is so foundational to the experience of all the Positive Emotions that I believe it is impossible to oversell its importance or speak of it too often.

Gratitude is defined as, the quality of being warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankfulness.

• Expressions of Gratitude are the bricks of the foundation upon which Happiness, Optimism, Hope, and Joy are built.
• Practiced regularly, Gratitude shapes your worldview toward noticing abundance versus scarcity, since it focuses on what you Have versus what you Lack.
• You bring positive energy to the conversation whenever you speak with others about something for which you are grateful.
• Grateful people make better friends, parents, coworkers, and leaders.
• Finally, when you practice gratitude, you feel more content with the world, no matter what your current state (even unemployed!).

If you want to learn the piano or run a marathon, you must practice, practice, and practice. The same is true of emotional states. Here are nine intentional activities that will help you live a more Gratitude-filled life.

1. Keep a Gratitude Journal. This is the most basic and powerful practice in all of Positive Psychology. Every book on happiness published in the past eight years places this practice at/near the top of the list. Every day, write down three blessings from the past 24 hours. Pencil and paper or online journal work equally well - the key is that you write it, not just think it (it makes a difference).
2. Remember the Bad Times. In his 2007 book, Thanks, researcher Robert Emmons noted the value of reflecting on past difficulties - not to dwell on them, but to appreciate that you survived and are stronger today as a result of the experiences.
   
   [This one resonates for me personally. Viewed in the rearview mirror, some of my darkest moments and biggest mistakes have come to symbolize significant turning points or deep learning that would not have been otherwise possible. In the words of Helen Keller, "Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."]
3. Say, "Thank you." Those who say 'thank you' more often than 'please give me...' experience higher life satisfaction.
4. Three Square Meals. A good friend of mine takes a moment before every meal and says three things he is grateful for since his last meal (and he is the most grateful person I know!)
5. Appreciate Someone. Every day, let a person in your life know you are grateful for them, and why. Even if you only do this weekly, in a year you'll have sent 52 notes.
6. Build a Gratitude List. Start with a list of 25-50 things for which you are grateful. Whenever you think of something new, add it to the list (challenge yourself to reach 100!). Pull the list out and read it for a quick pick-me-up whenever you feel down, sad, or ungrateful.
7. Wear a Body of Gratitude. With feet flat on the ground, pull your shoulders back and your head up, open your palms toward the person you are facing, and take a deep breath.
8. Fill a Gratitude File. Every time you receive a thank you note, place it in your file. In email, create a folder to store these. When you are having a bad day open the file and, as you read, feel the warmth of other people's appreciation wash over you.
9. Notice the Invisible and the Infrastructure. When was the last time you gave thanks for the fact that the lights actually go on when you flip the switch? Or that your faucet flows with clean, drinkable water? Or that you can live without fear of being assassinated in your home? Much of the world's population still lacks these life basics, so take a moment to appreciate what may have become invisible to you.

Happy Thanksgiving. And in case you've not heard me say it before, my dear Readers: I am grateful for you!

The 13 Principles of Happiness specific practices to strengthen your "happiness muscles." Visit http://www.theexecutivehappinesscoach.com/happiness/ philosophies.cfm to download a 1-page PDF Poster. Post it on your refrigerator, and have extras handy for when your guests read it on Thanksgiving and want their own copies!

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This week's edition of The Regina Brett Show (broadcast on public radio station WKSU, 89.7 FM Kent, Ohio) will be about "Giving Thanks." This program will air live on Wednesday, November 16 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. before a live audience of 100+ guests in the First Energy Auditorium in Franklin Hall at Kent State University.

A featured guest will be Jim Smith, The Executive Happiness Coach^®, an expert in the field of gratitude and Positive Emotion. In addition to the conversation about the power of Giving Thanks, the plan is to do some live, "in-the-moment" coaching with members of the audience.

If you live in NE Ohio and can pick up the WKSU 89.7 FM signal, please join us live. If you live outside the broadcast area, you can stream the broadcast at http://www.wksu.org/listen/. Archives of this broadcast will be available at http://www.wksu.org/regina/ later in the week.

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Hey, e-book readers! Happiness At The Speed of Life now available in iBooks format thru iTunes. Happiness on the go! http://ow.ly/745L2

Get a free sample or buy Happiness at the Speed of Life by Jim Smith on the iTunes Store. You can read this book with iBooks on your iPhone, or iPad (you can read it on a plane, or on a train, or in a car or at a bar...)

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A recent Northeast Ohio workplace survey conducted by my friend and colleague, Paul Meshanko of Legacy Business Cultures, netted some thought-provoking results. When they sorted the results according to responses to different questions, one data set literally jumped off the page.

Everything revolved around responses to the statement, "I feel valued in this organization." Those who felt valued also scored HIGHER in nearly every other workplace dimension, from productivity to creativity and loyalty to the organization. Those who did not feel valued scored LOWER across the board.

In other words, how valued the employee felt affected EVERY other dimension of engagement.

The lesson for leaders is this: make sure you create and maintain a positive connection with your people. There is a direct and measurable return on your investment of time spent in conversation with your people.

• Let them know you notice and appreciate their strengths.
• Offer feedback and support to help them improve and avoid repeating mistakes.
• Ask for their contributions, and listen to their ideas.
• Keep them informed about what is happening in the business (good and bad, speak the Truth).
• Finally, tell them - out loud - that you are grateful for their contributions to your success, and that you will support their success, as well.

Remember, Leadership is not about a title: Anyone can be a leader who initiates conversations of Gratitude that allow others to feel valued and appreciated.

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Hi, I'm Jim Smith, PCC, The Executive Happiness Coach^®. I work with smart, successful people like you, who secretly struggle with stress and overwhelm as you strive to succeed at the next level. I help you become a better leader AND dump the stress.

• "Jim is a great listener, encourager, challenger. His services are worth every penny and then some! His coaching has had a lasting impact on my life both professionally and personally. I HIGHLY recommend Jim" ~Kay P, marketing director

I have helped thousands of leaders and business owners just like you to increase effectiveness at work AND live a happier, more balanced life. I invite you to contact me for a free Leadership Strategy Session to learn how you can create a less-stress leadership presence.

Reach me directly: Jim@TheExecutiveHappinessCoach.com or +1-440-885-3247.

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View past editions at http://www.TheExecutiveHappinessCoach.com/newsletter/archives.cfm.

Copyright © 2011, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: "From HAPPINESS@THESPEEDOFLIFE, by Jim Smith, PCC, The Executive Happiness Coach®, 440-885-3247 or www.TheExecutiveHappinessCoach.com. Join the Happiness Conversation at www.LifeWithHappiness.com" If you choose to do otherwise, I will be very unhappy.

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