Kindness:
Plan to demonstrate at least three ways to be kind throughout the day. Talk about these opportunities to be kind at home, on the train or in the car, at a newsstand, coffee shop or restaurant, and at work with your colleagues and clients. Remind your daughter or son that it’s important to be kind whenever possible because we never know what someone’s going through or the difference a little kindness might make.
Gratitude:
Talk about how thankful you are to have a job to go to and the many benefits your job affords you and your family. Point out at least three ordinary things you’re grateful for like … breakfast at home, a ride to work, the deli owner who served you coffee or someone you work with. And don’t forget to mention the fulfillment you get from contributing to a job well done. Remind your daughter or son how grateful you are for the time you spend together and, specifically, this chance to take her/him to work with you.
Joy:
Have fun with your daughter or son and point out how exciting it is to find joy in ordinary moments. Perhaps you can make a game of it throughout the day: “I spy with my little eye, joy in….” Talk about times you’ve found a silver lining or made lemonade out of lemons. Take turns finding one joyful thing in past difficult situations. Remind your daughter or son that joy has more to do with how we choose to see a situation than the situation itself.
Teamwork:
Let your daughter or son know how good it feels to be part of a team that you can rely on and the importance of showing up for an effort larger than yourself. Even if you work alone, talk about those people you look to, and who look to you, for skills and support. Share at least one situation when you felt overwhelmed and reached out to others for assistance. Remind your daughter or son that the best leaders ask for help and encourage others to contribute.
Hope:
Discuss aspects of your job that have not gone according to plan and share a difficult situation that eventually turned out well. Maybe you didn’t get a new client account, promotion or job that you wanted and then another opportunity came along. Remind your daughter or son that even the worst day you had at work was just a bad day and not a bad week, month or year.
Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.