Sep 18, 2024

Appreciating Opportunities: Gratitude for Your First Job

Do you remember the joy of landing your first job? It wasn’t necessarily because of your long resume or years of experience—someone looked at who you were as a person, your potential, and decided to give you a chance. Reflecting on those early days, it's important to recognize the value of that opportunity and to express your gratitude for those who saw beyond the surface.

Why Gratitude Matters

Gratitude goes beyond just being polite; it's an active practice that positively impacts both your personal and professional life. When it comes to those early job opportunities, expressing gratitude is not just saying “thank you.” It's showing, through your actions, that you appreciate the trust someone placed in you. Learning how to practice gratitude in your daily life can strengthen relationships and improve your mindset. Whether it’s through your work ethic or staying in touch, showing appreciation benefits both you and the people around you.

Gratitude in Action: How to Show You Deserve It

Being grateful is not limited to verbal expressions. Here are some gratitude examples of how you can actively show appreciation:

Be consistent: Delivering quality work is one of the strongest ways to demonstrate that you appreciate the chance you’ve been given.
Stay connected: Reach out to those who helped you along the way. Sending thoughtful gratitude messages can rekindle connections and show that you haven't forgotten their role in your success.
Create a gratitude wall: Some workplaces encourage staff to write messages of thanks for their coworkers on a gratitude wall at work. This is a great way to create a positive environment and recognize the support of those around you.
Give back: When you're in a position to help someone else, remember how you got your start. Look beyond resumes and offer opportunities to people based on their character, much like your mentors did for you.

These simple actions demonstrate why gratitude is important—it builds stronger relationships and reminds us of the support we’ve received, inspiring us to give our best in return. These simple gestures of appreciation strengthen your connection to the people who have supported you along the way.

Opportunities don’t always come easily, and they don’t always depend on our experience or qualifications. Sometimes, they’re given because someone believes in who we are as individuals. So, remember those who saw your potential and gave you a start—be grateful, and always strive to honor their belief in you. Let your actions be a constant reminder of the gratitude you feel.

Related: The Guided Gratitude Journal