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The ROI of Gratitude

Gratitude is more than just a nice feeling.  It’s smart business. 

A sincere “thank you” warms hearts, but it also fires up your brain in all the best ways.  Studies show gratitude triggers mood-boosting hormones, strengthens your immune system, reduces cortisol (the stress hormone that makes you want to throw your laptop), and increases resilience and happiness.  Fat Baby Marketing’s co-founder, Jessica, has a favorite saying about this: the struggle ends when gratitude begins.  

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gratitude: a growth strategy

The benefits of gratitude don’t stop at your personal wellness journal; they extend straight into your business metrics.  

People who regularly practice gratitude have increased gray matter in the brain, which improves decision-making, emotional regulation, creativity, and learning.  These are all essential ingredients for leadership and innovation.  Gratitude reduces stress, increases motivation, and sparks creative thinking. 

And those ripple effects can be felt across every aspect of your business. 

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Client Relationships & Reputation 

  • strengthens relationships and trust 
  • fosters collaboration and repeat business  
  • inspires genuine referrals  

Employee & Contractor Relationships

  • builds a positive, people first culture  
  • strengthens social bonds and team morale
  • reduces turnover (happy employees who feel valued and seen don't go job hunting)
  • encourages innovation and collaboration

As business owners, gratitude is fuel for us too.  Embracing gratitude keeps us positive, future focused, fights off burnout, and brings a little more joy to the daily grind.   

creating a gratitude habit

Gratitude is a skill you build, not a feeling you wait for.  Like any habit, it strengthens with practice and repetition.  Even just three weeks of intentional gratitude can rewire your brain toward positivity.  Long term, you’ll strengthen the new neural pathways you’ve created, helping gratitude become your natural state of mind.  You, and your business, will feel the shift. 

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Ways to Intentionally Add Gratitude to Your Workday

  • start team meetings with a quick gratitude share 
  • end client calls by acknowledging their trust or partnership
  • create a “team kudos” slack channel for shoutouts
  • reflect monthly on the people who made your wins possible
  • send thoughtful thank you notes
  • end each day reflecting on what went well  

This November, try trading in the hustle for a moment of thanks.  It just may be the best investment you make in your team, and in yourself.