Action: Create A Gratitude Email Folder

This series of blog posts focuses on the Action component of the Together Evolving model. To achieve lasting results, take one intentional step forward at a time.

I’ve made a lot of mistakes lately.

Careless mistakes, big mistakes, unforeseen mistakes.  While I am learning, sometimes painfully, and experiencing the emotions that accompany each error, I do my best remember the mistakes do not define me.  This is hard, especially when they pile up in a given day or week.

Enter the gratitude email folder.  I dedicated a specific place to save emails from people I love, people I admire, and people who inspire me.  Their words of kindness, praise, or compassion are comforting to revisit, read anew, and absorb.  They remind me that I am more than any one flaw - or any one success - in the journey to get better each day.

Words, especially written ones, resonate with me.  I am intentional about the emails I place in my gratitude folder.  Reading the messages is like scrolling through photos from your favorite memories.  I'm instantly lighter, feeling the community and connection around me.  I'm also kinder to myself following a mistake-making spree.

As a leader of people, you will experience the highs and lows of your role, and along the way, small reminders that you have made a difference, impacted the lives of others, and grown in your leadership are available to you. Take the time to create a gratitude email folder, and carefully choose the messages you want your future self to read when you need them. 

Dr. Katie Stone is the founder of Together Evolving.  Email Katie at katie.stone@togetherevolving.com to learn more about the transformational impact coaching can have on you and your leadership.