The ever growing effects of gratitude in your life

[Exterous]

One of the things I like about my job is that I get to interact with some very interesting people who are, often, very prominent in their fields. I had a fantastic discussion with a professor at a well known Business school about gratitude the other day. It was about the effects of gratitude not only in an organization but on an individual as well.

He showed me some of his presentation slides and these are some of the findings of studies done by Stanford, Harvard, the VA and a wide array of various researchers:

-notable improvement in memory (20-40%)
-faster reaction times
-higher test scores
-higher creativity
-improved focus and learning
-reduction in reports of pain in veterans
-improved cognitive fuctions in PTSD victims
-20% reduction in high blood pressure in hypertensive patients
-75% of arrhythmia patients reported a reduction in symptoms
-more likely to be higher performers at work
-more likely to influence the course of the company

Meanwhile consistent negative interactions with people ("poor social relationships") had a higher increase in 'Probability of Dying' than smoking - 70% vs 50%

And its not like all of these were from people with happy\easy lives either. In addition to the previously mentioned PTSD and medical cases there are indications that improved gratitude leads to improved results for multiple amputee survivors or those who have lost a spouse and\or children.

 

[shortylickens]

this is probably why Im a miserable failure.

 

[highland145]

So Mayne's gonna be dead soon?

 

[lxskllr]

Moral of the story... Don't work retail.

 

[brianmanahan]

i'm grateful for this post

 

[Herr Kutz]

i'm grateful for this post

I'm grateful that you're grateful for this post about gratefulness.

 

[shortylickens]

I'm grateful for spell-check fixing my gratefulness, without which I'd just be greatful.

 

[pete6032]

Sounds like it's time for a good 'ol ATOT gratefulness circle jerk

 

[Exterous]

Moral of the story... Don't work retail.

Yeah - my years there lead to a noticeable decrease in my appreciation of humanity

Sounds like it's time for a good 'ol ATOT gratefulness circle jerk

Personally I like gratitude circle jerks but I respect your grateful orientation. Just as long as you aren't thankful - those people are heretics

 

[highland145]

Moral of the story... Don't work retail.

I'm retail and love it.


I am charging 35% interest though.

 

[skull]

I tried telling you pricks its all about having a positive attitude.

 

[clamum]

So Mayne's gonna be dead soon?

Now that would be just a terrible thing for the forum!

Ahem.

I think I'm a pretty grateful/optimistic/thankful person. Not overly so but usually. Good to hear OP!

 

[ctbaars]

This is why I laugh at my own jokes.

 

[highland145]

This is why I laugh at my own jokes.

Same. The wife just rolls her eyes though.

 

[bradly1101]

One of the things I like about my job is that I get to interact with some very interesting people who are, often, very prominent in their fields. I had a fantastic discussion with a professor at a well known Business school about gratitude the other day. It was about the effects of gratitude not only in an organization but on an individual as well.

He showed me some of his presentation slides and these are some of the findings of studies done by Stanford, Harvard, the VA and a wide array of various researchers:

-notable improvement in memory (20-40%)
-faster reaction times
-higher test scores
-higher creativity
-improved focus and learning
-reduction in reports of pain in veterans
-improved cognitive fuctions in PTSD victims
-20% reduction in high blood pressure in hypertensive patients
-75% of arrhythmia patients reported a reduction in symptoms
-more likely to be higher performers at work
-more likely to influence the course of the company

Meanwhile consistent negative interactions with people ("poor social relationships") had a higher increase in 'Probability of Dying' than smoking - 70% vs 50%

And its not like all of these were from people with happy\easy lives either. In addition to the previously mentioned PTSD and medical cases there are indications that improved gratitude leads to improved results for multiple amputee survivors or those who have lost a spouse and\or children.

I like expressing gratitude, and despite its obvious advantages, to many it seems a bit confusing, since the overriding unspoken sentiment (I think) is, "Why are you trying to kiss my ass, what do you want?"

I don't care though, and go about my happy-go-lucky, gay-spirited life with great, voiced appreciation. Even when someone is mean to me (including P&N if I make a hated comment), or through a challenge, or when a friend is down in the dumps, there's always something to learn, especially about empathy, humility, and compassion and of course gratitude. I am grateful for this thread.

 

[bradly1101]

Yeah - my years there lead to a noticeable decrease in my appreciation of humanity

Gosh, I hope your customers didn't notice, decreasing their's.

I worked for 6.5 years in retail after high school. I tried to be upbeat with my customers. One sent this:

I was grateful for his gratefulness. The store manager sent back this (and gave me a copy):

Edit: Later in my electronics career I got these and many others. Showing gratitude, empathy, humility, and compassion brings it all back to you.

(I was a one-man service operation at our new branch in Sac. for two years)

Edit 2: I know I committed the cardinal sin of sharing my first and last names in an open internet forum, but with a last name like that, it's impossible to not be anonymous. Believe it or not my dad's first name is John.

 

[lxskllr]

Gosh, I hope your customers didn't notice, decreasing their's.

They deserve it. Seems like 50% of the population are pieces of shit, and I'd giggle merrily if I saw them being eaten by a bear. Never worked retail, but I run into entitled shitbags frequently at work. Surveying has done more for my hatred of humans(and dogs) than anything else.

 

[bradly1101]

They deserve it. Seems like 50% of the population are pieces of shit, and I'd giggle merrily if I saw them being eaten by a bear. Never worked retail, but I run into entitled shitbags frequently at work. Surveying has done more for my hatred of humans(and dogs) than anything else.

And if you let it roll off your back, the few appreciative, nice people notice and further the good feelings. Despite all the negativity, there are angels out there.

Edit: I get the hatred toward dogs, they are barking, needy, jealous creatures, not unlike humans I've known, yet they seem to exhibit unconditional love to their owners (as long as they are fed).

 

[lxskllr]

And if you let it roll off your back, the few appreciative, nice people notice and further the good feelings. Despite all the negativity, there are angels out there.

The people that fuck with me have nothing to gain by what I'm doing. I work for clients, and they get what they want. It's all the other fuckwits that think they know something about property, and are all too willing to tell me about it, and be dicks, cause, well... that's their true nature. Our unfortunate laws prevent me from adjusting their attitudes with an axe. That's a big reason I like doing construction. I'm a god on site, and everyone goes out of their way to make my life easier.

 

[Exterous]

And if you let it roll off your back, the few appreciative, nice people notice and further the good feelings. Despite all the negativity, there are angels out there.

Of course there are but it was shocking how many assholes are out there and not everything was able to roll off my back when I had to deal with people who actually waited around in the parking lot to try and assault myself or other employees. I had never previously seen so many people call 17-20 year old girls 'cu*ts' because they were bound by company policy at the customer service desk. I've had xbox consoles and routers thrown at my head when we refused illegitimate returns. I've personally called the police to remove people from the store when they started threatening bodily harm to employees and random customers. One of those customers was swearing and yelling because we hadn't done anything to prevent him from buying a speaker system from a 'white van' in a parking lot that wasn't even ours. I had one customer threaten to blow up the entire store because we couldn't fix his laptop after he spilled orange juice and coffee on it. I later had to go to court because that same person felt we were at fault somehow. (I am 5-0 in small claims court) When Circuit City went out of business I had numerous people tell me they were glad 34,000 people just lost their jobs, usually because we wouldn't do something like return her DVD player 90 days after the return policy ended. People would actually say "I'm glad you'll be out on the street begging for money". When delivering a TV in the middle of winter I slipped and fell on someone's sidewalk that couldn't be bothered to shovel or salt it and then had them yell at me for being "too close to the end of the delivery window". I wasn't even late and was bleeding slightly from my elbow but that didn't bother them at all.

I had two prior retail jobs which weren't nearly as bad but those were smaller, local establishments. Maybe the right people could let years of that roll of their backs but probably 98% of the employees I interacted with left with a significantly more jaded view of humanity

 

[Exterous]

I like expressing gratitude, and despite its obvious advantages, to many it seems a bit confusing, since the overriding unspoken sentiment (I think) is, "Why are you trying to kiss my ass, what do you want?"

You don't always have to do it about someone to their face. Doing a '5 things I'm grateful for' each night to yourself or SO seems to suffice

 

[Brainonska511]

Gratitude is one of the big reasons I've been much happier at work these last 9 months. In March, I left my short academic postdoc (basically another year in the lab I did my PhD in), an environment that was not known for motivating people with positive feedback. My new job has been quite the opposite: being recognized for doing well, getting positive feedback on my work, and just working with all around friendly people.

 

[Geekbabe]

I have tried over the years to treat everyone I work with as if they were the CEO. I wasn’t always perfect but finally learned that getting into he said/ she said stuff sapped my energy, never solved a problem & often ended up with me in big trouble.

The attitude of gratitude has payed off for me big time. I have been fighting stage IV cancer for three years. My company came up with an ADA work accomendation for me. A front facing position & basically I am responsible for noticing people in distress or needing help & simly being kind to them. I still work, earn & keep health insurance. I also am making new friends throughout the company & enjoying getting to know clients, most of whom are delightful.

Being grateful makes the day sweeter for everyone you come in contact with!

 

[interchange]

It's amazing how far respecting someone and being curious about what their experience is can change things, especially when they are displaying aggression. Often people who are acting like dicks are really wanting help but need whomever might help them to know that they need help containing their anger, shame, feelings of not being cared about, etc.

Of course, some people are just dicks.

 

[Cappuccino]

so basically you're a nerd?