We asked event attendees:
What was one of your biggest take-aways at the Omaha Gratitude Summit?
Patique Collins
Recruitment & Career Development Manager | American National Bank
american.bank
The Omaha Gratitude Summit made me realize the impact an expression of gratitude can have on yourself and others. The positive emotions involved with a simple message of gratitude are something everyone should experience. When you show appreciation to one another, you create a culture of positivity and collaboration. I am thankful for attending the event, but even more thankful that my company, American National Bank, showed that it understands the power of gratitude and by sponsoring the Summit, was able to help spread the message.
Tim Conrad
President and General Manager of Finance and Operations | CLAAS of America Inc.
www.claasofamerica.com
The Omaha Gratitude Summit was a refreshing reminder of the importance of recognizing and telling the people that have made a positive difference in our lives. The health benefits each of us can receive by focusing on daily positive influences we have in our lives is even more important at this time of concerns with mental health in our society.
Johnetta Nelson
Summit Coordinator | QLI
www.teamqli.com
Being a part of a gratitude-based culture at QLI, I was excited to attend this summit to learn more. One of the biggest takeaways for me was how important gratitude is not only in the workplace and to others in life, but also to yourself. We should be the first to thank and congratulate ourselves! My personal gratitude journal has been the best self-care activity I’ve incorporated this year.
Greg Key
Chief Executive Officer | Lueder Construction
www.lueder.com
I enjoyed the Gratitude Summit. It was good to hear from Dr. Emmons, not only about the positive impact that I can have on the lives of others by being intentional with authentic gratitude, but also the impact that living with a gratitude mindset will have on me personally. As we heard, there are lots of misconceptions about gratitude, but it really is a way of seeing through a different lens, especially with all the negative noise and vision blurring activity in our world today. As Dr. Emmons said, “Control your mind, control your world.” I look forward to what’s to come here in Omaha following this inaugural summit.
Katie Langenfeld
Manager of Sales and Training | Physicians Mutual
www.physiciansmutual.com
The summit was great! I loved hearing about the science behind gratitude: We have the power to physically improve our heart health and sleep better. Plus, practicing gratitude can improve our mental/emotional health. We can pass on these feel-good feelings to others (who make our lives better), which is a ripple effect.
One take-away I’m sharing with my employees is:
“Before you go to sleep each night, think about three things you’re grateful for. How many of those three included a person? Think about how great that person would feel if they knew they made your life better. Tell them tomorrow by writing them a handwritten note – even if you have to use Google for inspiration! (Ex: “What do normal people say when they want to tell someone they’re grateful for them – but like, in a totally cool, non-awkward way?” AAAAND SEARCH!)
We all underestimate the value our words have, but everyone wants to feel appreciated – even if we think it would be awkward for them (ahem… mostly us) or if we think they already know how much we appreciate them (chances are, they don’t). Why would we knowingly hold back the opportunity to make someone else’s day! Going forward, the answer is: We don’t want to lose that chance to let them know how grateful we are for having them! We get the benefit of improved physical and mental health; they get the benefit of feeling appreciated. Win-win! So, do it! SEND THAT LETTER!
And repeat this exercise every night before you fall asleep.”
Lori Snyder
Chief Information Officer | Physicians Mutual
physiciansmutual.com
I was impressed with the research presented by Dr. Robert Emmons correlating the practice of being grateful and a person’s overall well-being. Those results show themselves in better relationships, better health, and a more positive outlook for oneself and others. Coming at gratitude from another angle, he related how a young woman who lost her mother to suicide used gratitude to inspire her sense of empathy for others. The choice to use gratitude in a situation of sadness was revealing. The conclusion that gratefulness is not just a Pollyanna perspective but is based on reality and our choice in how we react to situations added an important perspective. I am grateful for the opportunity to attend the Omaha Gratitude Summit and look forward to the positive ripple this will create in our community.
Megan Smith
Director | Operation Remnant
www.tribeomaha.com/operation-remnant
The OGS was a purpose-filled time to gather together and gain inspiring, compelling, and proven insight on the power of gratitude. Hearing from Dr. Emmons and Dr. Snell was both practical and profound to better understand the impact a life of gratitude can have on mental and physical health. Learning how gratitude is one of the primary ways you can create psychological safety for myself, and others will impact how I lead and interact with co-workers and volunteers. The entire day was filled with tools and practices that could be immediately integrated into teams and both personal and professional settings, it was a well-spent day!
Felica Hazuka
CEO | One Source The Background Check Company
onesourcebackground.com
Gratitude is medicine and it does not cost anything to try but can be very expensive and exhausting to not practice. It is quite incredible and backed by research. The concept behind gratitude in the workplace is also something that seems so simple, yet something that is a little lost in today’s culture. I am encouraging all our team members to take time each day to reflect, practice, and grow in their daily gratitude affirmations. What if? What if we could really connect at a deeper level by each taking a few minutes a day to look for and communicate our gratitude? I’m inspired to think about the possibility.
