Gratitude should be a habit in your small business

Did you know that showing gratitude actually makes us happier people?

Small business owners have many reasons to be grateful. In reality, no one needs a special reason or a commemorative date to express gratitude to the people who help their company succeed, improve and enrich their daily work life.

"We became entrepreneurs because we didn't fit in other people's world, so we created our own." (Teresa Fox)

That said, it's important to make gratitude a genuine and ongoing habit, even a daily one! When deciding how best to communicate your gratitude, consider the many people who contributed to your success.

None of us got to where we are without the help and advice of others.

Gratitude is an essential part of thinking positive, motivated and productive, not only in the business field, but also in our personal lives.

Here are some ideas for expressing gratitude to some of the people most important to your small business:

Your Employeers

Charles Schwab said:

“The way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement.”

Recognition is a powerful tool to train employees and invest in their professional growth. Verbal and personal support helps a lot to improve the day of your employees and motivates them to perform well for your company. Consistent and meaningful recognition has been proven to have a positive impact on employee productivity, retention, job satisfaction and engagement.

Gratitude should be an important part of your company's culture, small, medium or large... no matter the size of your business! It should start with your example with expressions of appreciation shared by employees at all levels. Consider rewarding your employees for a job well done and expressing your gratitude in public.

If you want a team of high-performing employees, celebrate and recognize their successes, big and small. Recognize their value and focus on their strengths and positive contributions. Set an example as their leader, observing and showing appreciation for their performance and loyalty, and watch your team's morale and motivation increase.

Your Clients

Your commitment to the customer relationship should be shown in the form of gratitude. Perhaps this is the year your small business becomes most creative when it comes to thanking clients and customers.

Handwritten, personalized greetings and thank you cards can be more engaging for your customers than an email message or a pre-printed card.

You could also consider running a gratitude campaign on social media to strengthen your relationships not only with your customers, but also with your entire audience as well.

Consider loyalty programs that reward past customers with exclusive sales, promotions, and even customer appreciation events. Show sincere gratitude and communicate how much you value and care about your customers. It will be appreciated and rewarded in the form of stronger relationships and loyalty.

Your Professional Network

We cannot forget the mentors (professionals and academics) who helped us get to where we are today. These people gave us advice and encouragement and suggested new opportunities.

Mentors provide guidance and help you overcome challenges

These people can often be co-workers and even other entrepreneurs. Those that many people might see as "competitors" or "rivals" but who actually have great potential to become great friends and mentors.

Who is that person you run to every time you discover something new or find more efficient ways to do something? It is very advisable and healthy to have someone with whom to exchange experiences and talk about this great adventure that is to run a small business.

Don't miss the opportunity to thank these people for all they've done to support your journey through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and help you and your business grow and prosper.

Bonus: 10 gratitude quotes for small businesses.

Quotes were found online, originally in English. They came from many different sources. I hope you enjoy ;)

1. “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” William Arthur Ward

2. “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” Robert Brault

3. “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Eckhart Tolle

4. “If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.” Frank A. Clark

5. “If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily.” Gerald Good

6. “Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves and spend without fear of bankruptcy.” Fred De Witt

7. “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” Epictetus

8. “At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” Albert Schweitzer

9. “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” Oprah Winfrey

10. “No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.” Alfred North Whitehead

A simple thank you card, email message, or a little "gift" can go a long way in showing your appreciation to the people who contribute to your small business's success. Be specific, personal and authentic in your thanks. Prioritize gratitude regularly. It's the right thing to do and will boost your business in ways you don't expect.