One Surprising Way to Increase Productivity

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A few years ago at work, it seemed like everything that could go wrong went wrong for me. I was putting out fire after fire, all day long. It just kept getting worse. 

At that time, I was the president of a basketball clothing company during the day and the director of a motivational basketball camp at night. After a particularly rough day, I got into my car and drove 15 minutes across town to run motivational basketball clinics for 30 energetic 5 to 7-year-olds. I was normally excited to be with the kids, but this day was different. 

As I wallowed in my problems, I realized that I had the choice to continue on this downward spiral or choose to be thankful. I was determined to be thankful even though my body was revolting against it. From that willful determination, I started listing all the people and things for which I was grateful. To my surprise, it got easier the more I did it. After a few minutes, I started feeling a little better. By the time I arrived at the clinic, I had an abundance of energy, focus, and joy. 

When you choose to be thankful, you live a more consistent life of balanced emotions, which leads to consistent productivity. 

Gratitude Is a Muscle  

With the constant stream of negativity that surrounds us, we have to work out our gratitude muscle each day. Think of the discipline that is required when someone wants to lose weight. Gratitude is no different. When we stay committed to working out our gratitude muscle day in and day out, it becomes bigger, stronger, and others can’t help but notice the difference! Once gratitude takes root in our hearts, it becomes who we are as opposed to something we do.

A friend of mine once shared with me a purposeful way he approaches each new year. It’s a powerful way to tackle each day too: A look back, a look up, and a look ahead. A look back is a time of thankful reflection. A look up is a time of thankful perspective. A look ahead is a time of thankful future.

It’s one thing to be thankful for what has already happened, but we can also be thankful for what’s to come! The past has already taken place, so it’s easier to reflect on these tangible things. However, when we rejoice in what has not yet happened, we begin to operate from faith. Faith believes in what you hope for and is certain of what you do not see. We are either operating out of faith or fear. There is really no in-between. 

Practical Step: What are you are thankful for right now? Be specific. As a result, you might just be surprised by your increased productivity!

(Content is taken from my first book, 'Lead the Way: Inside Out Leadership Principles for Business Owners & Leaders' )

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About Robb Holman

Robb Holman is a Global Keynote Speaker and 3x Author of leadership books, Lead the Way, All In, and Move the Needle. In 2022, Global Gurus named him one of the Top 30 World’s Leadership Thought Leaders and his Inside Out Leadership philosophy has been featured in publications like Inc, Forbes, and Fast Company. You can visit Robb by going here.