When people ask for my top three “hacks” for personal effectiveness, they’re usually surprised by my answer: gratitude, meditation, and sleep. They’re even more surprised that in a book about study skills, I devote multiple pages to gratitude. With Thanksgiving around the corner, I think it’s only appropriate that today’s message center on gratitude, because in my opinion, GRATITUDE CHANGES EVERYTHING. 

For many professionals, the end of the year feels like a perfect storm: Q4 deadlines, social commitments, travel, shopping, decorating, family expectations — all landing at once. If that’s you, take a deep breath. Productivity during the holidays isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what matters, more intentionally.

When we know who we are on the inside, a shifting outside world matters less. We never really know what the future holds, but we can prepare for it by cultivating an attitude of openness, curiosity, and gratitude.

For the past several months I’ve been 1) gathering data 2) validating and 3) testing. (Interestingly enough, these are the steps we take as consultants at the start of any project, so I think I’m in good methodological company.)