It’s that time of year when many people reflect on their previous year and start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions often take the form of end goals like “Find a new job,” or “Develop an additional source of income.” What is commonly overlooked is how a mindset change not only can be implemented immediately, but can ultimately assist in achieving some of your end goals. When I tell people that part of my strategic thinking process is to express gratitude, people often are confused. How can gratitude be strategic? Here are ways that expressing gratitude can also be strategic:

Gratitude Builds and Maintains Relationships.

As someone who spent a lot of formative years in the Midwest, manners are important. “Please” and “thank you” not only tell the world that you are polite, but also that you are someone who cares about relationship building. According to Science Daily, thanking new acquaintances for their help makes them “more likely to seek an ongoing social relationship with you” and that “you are someone with whom a high-quality relationship could be formed.” Furthermore, as we progress in a relationship, you can start to take aspects of the other person for granted.  Do you have a co-worker who always brings you coffee?  Or perhaps does your mom make a point of making your favorite meal every time you come home?  A quick, hand-written thank you note acknowledging how much their contribution meant to you helps re-affirm the value of what they did. A verbal “thank you” might not convey that that cup of coffee completely changed your afternoon into one of the most productive you’ve had in a while.  Be specific and imagine, how might my afternoon or evening gone differently but for this incredible contribution? Then, express that sentiment in the thank you note.

Expressing Gratitude Improves Health.

Several studies have affirmed that people who express gratitude have found a decrease in depression, irritability, aches and pains, blood pressure as well as anxiety. The effects of positivity are well-documented, but “don’t be negative, be positive” is nebulous advice that is hard to implement. Expressing gratitude is specific and something that everyone, regardless of their position, can do and benefit from.  It makes sense that people would feel better physically because expressing gratitude forces people to redirect their inner monologue from what they don’t have to acknowledge all of the contributions from the people who surround them. This in turn mitigates stress and anxiety.

Gratitude Breeds Empathy.

In addition to being a necessary moral trait, empathy is strategic because it helps you develop an understanding and appreciation for other people. Gratitude necessitates thinking about others and their impact on you, thereby fundamentally breeding empathy. Studies show that people who regularly express gratitude show less hostility and are more likely to show kindness (or to adhere to the Golden Rule: Treat others how you’d like to be treated) when people are less kind to them. Expressing gratitude therefore gives you the tools to demonstrate empathy and compassion.

Gratitude Helps Identify and Prioritize Loyalty.

By becoming more aware of important contributions in your life, you can identify what matters. Was there a colleague or friend who was always cheering you on before big presentations or meetings? Is there someone in your life who is insanely busy, but always made time for you when you called? By becoming more aware of the impact others are having on you, you can make sure you are providing a proportionate response. Many relationships fizzle when one person is investing more than the other. Expressing gratitude makes you conscious of other people’s investment so that you don’t take anything for granted and give appropriate weight to other’s loyalty towards you.

Expressing Gratitude Fosters Meaningful Communication.

Scrolling through social media and liking or retweeting can feel like communication, but there’s nothing unique about you liking a photo that 75 other people have liked.  When you express gratitude, you are forced to be specific and make a connection between you and another person. Not to mention, it gives you an excuse to be outgoing and proactive. With how easy it is to travel and move, many people end up in different cities than their family and friends. A handwritten note thanking someone for a funny story they shared on social media or the time they took to see you on a business trip will help maintain those relationships over the miles and ensure meaningful communication.