I really, really like this time of year. After enduring the hot summer, I love the cooler weather and all of the Fall/Winter holidays. I also like how people’s attitudes seem to change some during this time of year. They are more thankful, giving and caring.
In view of this, I often ask my students in class what they are thankful for this time of year. Because we are in a training class at their corporate location, I often get answers relating to their work, job, company, etc. I think it is great that they can reflect back and see the good that comes from their job or from the organization they work for. Often, I know that I get bogged down in the details and tasks of my job that I fail to think about the big picture of my job/career.
As we struggle back from the economic recession, many of my students admit that they are just thankful to have a job. Others say that they enjoy their work team and even like their boss/supervisor. My favorite comment is when they say they are thankful for the great stuff learned in class and for a good trainer. In most classes there is one person that is determined to remain a pessimist and decides to not have anything to be thankful for that day. I usually try to encourage them but then leave it alone.
Of course, as I’m talking about being thankful in class, I think, “I need to blog about this!” Here is my technology and training “thanks” list for this year: Office 2010 and Windows 7 (and enough work to be able to purchase both), great students, wonderful organization to do training for, blog ideas that come from no where, and getting to do the job I love for another year.
What are you thankful for this year? Leave a reply in the comments and let me know!
As I was recently reflecting on Thanksgiving and the holiday season, I made a list of all of my blessings. (Amazingly, I don’t think of training all day every day!) Making my list took longer than I expected. There were so many blessings! I actually do this daily on a smaller scale, too. I think of three things that I am grateful for each day. About five years ago, a friend and I started emailing these three things to each other every day. What a difference it makes in my daily outlook! 
