Success and the Attitude of Gratitude

Much leadership curriculum focuses on the attitude of success. Our leadership text, Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, does a great job of using teen examples and lingo to empower our youth. Covey reinforces that an attitude of success is an “inside job.” The expectation is that each student takes a proactive role in creating the success s/he wishes to experience.

It can be easy to blame others or fixate on things beyond our control. Covey suggests focusing on the “circle of control,” instead. When we get in that circle, we ARE in power. As a continuation of the previous post, here are a few more fun activities within our control to proactively imbue this crucial attitude and celebrate Thanksgiving…

…watch Soul Pancake’s science experiment on happiness and the attitude of gratitude with your teen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHv6vTKD6lg&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLzvRx_johoA8PC6S5k5S2Ssz.

Then each family member can write a thank you to somebody who has been a positive influence in his/her life. We did this activity in our leadership class and the students really connected the Soul Pancake research to the activity of thanking an influential person in their lives—in email, e-card, and written form. Gratitude can be expressed many ways.

…hop on the HeartMath web page and pick an appreciation activity to do with your teen http://www.heartmath.org/free-services/tools-for-well-being/heartmath-appreciation-tool.html . HeartMath does a great deal of research on the power of our thoughts. They translate this into meaningful activities to help transform lives.

…use Thanksgiving dinner as a time to circle the table and take turns telling what each member is grateful for. Before the food is served, you have a captive audience!

We know teens aren’t always willing to delve into feelings with parents. Take advantage of the perfect opportunity Thanksgiving creates and foster an “attitude of gratitude” within your family this week.