The global pandemic threw a wrench in the works for most people at some level. Even people with successful network marketing business may have experienced changes at home, especially if their spouse began working from home or was laid off and the kids embarked on online learning initiatives for school. For some people, it’s been an easier transition than others; however, most can agree that it’s been a difficult situation for many. With all that’s happened, you might think that it’s hard to be grateful in times like this. However, it’s important to find a silver lining, even if it’s the tiniest sliver.

Why gratitude matters, especially now

Gratitude is simply being thankful. It’s looking at the hand you’ve been dealt, and being thankful for the bright spots (or even the not-so-bright spots that you won’t realize are blessings until you look back on them later). In a time when it’s so easy to be fearful of everything around us, taking a few moments to be thankful changes your mindset and gives you hope. What better way to fight fear than with hope?

The benefits of gratitude

It makes you happier. Gratitude gives you the space to step back and appreciate all that you have. When you take stock of your blessings, you can appreciate everything you’ve been given and this makes you happier. 

“The greatest source of happiness is the ability to be grateful at all times.” 

-Zig Ziglar

It provides perspective. When you take stock of what you’re grateful for, it gives you perspective. It’s easy to get stuck in a negative thought cycle, especially when the world around us feels so dark and scary. However, there’s still a lot of good in the world, too. People helping people. Retired medical professionals coming out of retirement to help sick patients. Neighbors helping older neighbors and people with compromised immune systems by checking in on them and bringing them food and prescriptions. People organizing car parades through neighborhoods where there are 2020 high school graduates who will miss out on the pomp and circumstance of graduation. These are just a few examples. Sometimes you have to look hard, but there is good to be found.

It makes you motivated. When you realize that you have so many blessings to be grateful for, you may feel a surge of motivation. After all, you’re filled with hope and happiness and it’s natural to want to share your blessings with others.

It makes you a role model for others. Grateful people encourage those around them to be thankful as well. Whether it’s your team or your family, modeling grateful behavior and sharing what you’re thankful for can encourage others to do the same. And, they’ll get all the same benefits of gratitude that you’re enjoying. 

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”

—Willie Nelson

How to count your blessings

Take a few minutes to consider what you’re grateful for. 

1. Find a quiet spot in the house. Although it’s not essential, you’ll find you can think more clearly when it’s quiet. However, this may be easier said than done with your spouse and children and other family at home. If you find it’s impossible, wake up a bit earlier than the rest of the house, find a quiet spot and clear your head.
2. Make a list. Use an app on your phone, a document on your computer or plain old pen and paper to list what you’re thankful for. Don’t overthink it; just write whatever comes to mind. If you want to clean it up later, you can, but that’s not the intention at this point.
3. If it helps, make two lists – one for what you’re grateful for in business and another for what you’re thankful for in life. For many network marketers, there’s overlap, but others keep the worlds separated for their own sanity. Whatever works for you is fine; what’s important is getting what you’re thankful for on paper.
4. Keep adding to the list. It may all come out in one sitting or you may think of something else later. Keep adding to the list. The more you can add, the better you’ll feel.
5. Keep it up. Try to make it a habit to write down three things you’re grateful for every day. It will not only make you happier and keep things in perspective, but it’ll also help you feel better overall about life. Additionally, it may also help you feel more control over things, especially at a time when it’s tough to feel control over anything.  After all, the one thing you can reliably control is yourself and your attitude.
6. Review your list. This is a powerful act, one that allows you to revisit and remember what you’re most thankful for. At times when we’re feeling overwhelmed by business or life, it’s so easy to forget our blessings and get wrapped up in our woes. However, reviewing your list is a good reminder that not all of what happens to us is bad or challenging, that we have the tools to face our challenges and overcome them, and at the end of the day we have a lot to be thankful for. 
7. Share your blessings with others. Help others by sharing the process with them. Encourage your team to write down what they’re thankful for and explain it’s even more effective to do so on a daily basis. Then, share a few examples from your list to get them started if they’re having trouble thinking of anything. Sometimes people need examples that they can reflect on in their own lives. 

Similarly, if you’re thankful for people and the great things they’ve done for you, tell them. We all like to feel appreciated. How honored and blessed would you feel to know that someone is thankful for you or something you’ve done? You’d be on cloud nine for a week! So, share your appreciation with those who you’re grateful for who have impacted your life for the better. Send them a quick message online, an email, a text, or give them a call on the phone or on Zoom.

“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.”

—Zig Ziglar

Connect with your network

While we’re on the topic, have you told your customers, prospects, and distributors that you’re thankful for them? Social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t connect with them on the phone or online. In fact, those are the exact mediums you should use to keep in touch. Keep the lines of communication open, especially now! Your network wants to hear from you. If you and/or your business can help them, that’s great, but it’s not a requirement. They want to get a thoughtful message from you, checking in to make sure they’re doing okay and asking if you can help. They’ll appreciate it more than anything. Don’t think that they’re busy or have other things on their minds – this is the perfect time to connect with people. 

What should you say?

If you’re not sure what to say, start with ‘thank you.’ Thank them for being a customer, team member, friend, acquaintance, and all-around good person. That’s a real ice breaker. Tell them you appreciate them and their role in your life. Ask how they’re doing and if there’s anything you can do to help them. It’s all about connection and building relationships right now; don’t worry about making sales per se, at least at this point. 

Let Teamzy help you stay in touch

Once you’ve written out what you’re thankful for, be sure to do your Power Hour. Committing to your Power Hour will ensure you stay in touch with the people in your network who you’re most thankful for, including your top customers and team members. If you’re not sure what to say, Teamzy has some great scripts to get the conversation started. Click here for more information.