Kyle Ellerbrock’s Post

Ever Had a Moment When Someone’s Gratitude Just Stops You in Your Tracks? Last week, something happened a couple of times that got me thinking about how impactful acknowledgment and gratitude can be. Now, I’m not usually one to share personal wins (because who needs another “look at me” post?), but I’m going to indulge for a second… One instance was at work. A senior leader in a contract I’m working on took a moment to acknowledge my contributions, highlighting the impact I’m having on the team. No big fanfare, just a few words of recognition. And honestly? It had a huge effect. It felt amazing. Then, the next day, I’m cycling with my kids over the weekend. As kids tend to do, they zoom ahead, stopping to chat to an elderly lady on the street. To my surprise, she congratulated me for providing my kids with a "congratulations on giving you kids such a wonderful start in life" and how much she loved talking to them. (I had to double-check that she was talking about my kids—I'm still a little baffled!) The point is: both instances had an unexpected impact on me. And the thing that struck me most wasn’t just the gratitude…it was the acknowledgment. Someone saw something I was doing and took the time to say something. No one asked them to. It was unsolicited, and it completely brightened my day. Here’s the kicker: In our busy lives, especially as career-driven parents, we often forget to acknowledge the impact we have on those around us. The truth is, in the midst of balancing work, family, and everything in between, it’s easy to overlook the power of simple gratitude. When we express gratitude, it brings us into the present. Acknowledging the effort or impact someone else is having not only uplifts them, but it shifts our own perspective as well. Now, I know this isn’t exactly “British” (we’re not known for going around giving high-fives and public compliments). It can feel awkward, a little uncomfortable even. But when that gratitude comes from a genuine place? It can be transformative. So, here's my challenge to you: Next time you feel grateful for something someone is doing, whether at work, with your family, or in your personal life…don’t just feel it…Acknowledge it…Tell them. Whether it’s a colleague, a partner, a family member, or even a random stranger who takes the time to make your day, don’t hold back. Because authentic gratitude is powerful. And when you give it, you might just make someone’s day a little brighter…and get a little brighter yourself in the process. Have an awesome day. #ExecutiveCoaching #CareerDrivenParents #WorkLifeBalance #Gratitude

- The Power of Gratitude - On my way home from life group, I was recently having a conversation with someone about whether or not I felt like the "What are you thankful for?" exercise we had just done, had any merit or not. As we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the US, I know this is a question many of us will be asking each other today. Like I've said, I really love meaningful connection with people. And connection often comes on the heels of a great question. While this exercise can seem really trite and almost like it's not worth doing when people share basic answers like "I'm thankful for food", "for my family", or "grateful for my dog", what I noticed was that the conversation instantly got more meaningful when people simply added *why*. Gratitude has the power to shift your environment because there's power in thankfulness. It changes your attitude and perspective about whatever you're going through. I think we all intellectually know the positive effect gratitude has, but sometimes we forget to practice it. I have an uncle who embodies this. He always responds to "How are you?" with - "I'm thankful. Always grateful," and it's profound. It immediately shifts you to want to be thankful too! This conversation also made me think about when we used to have a gratitude wall as a family. For a few years, we each would write 3 things we were grateful for, on a post-it note and stick it on the wall. When friends or family came over, they would add their own to the wall too. Every time you looked at it, you instantly felt a lot lighter! I loved that this was something we did outside of Thanksgiving, because it was a great reminder that you have things to be grateful for every day. But when you're sharing what you're grateful for in a community, the WHY part gives people a greater understanding of the context that you're coming from. It gives them a reason to relate to you AND better celebrate WITH you the thing you're thankful for because they understand the context. For example - Being grateful for having a roof over your head, is really significant if you didn't have one at some point. Being grateful for family, becomes more important when you've gone through lots of losses. Being grateful for food, is a big deal, if you previously struggled with food insecurity. Etc, etc. Suddenly that trite-sounding gratitude, isn't so basic anymore. Every gratitude has a story behind it. When that story is shared, even briefly, it gives the people around you, an opportunity to better understand who you are, where you're coming from, and what's important to you now. So I'd encourage you, as you sit around your Thanksgiving tables today, to not only practice gratitude - but to go one step further and share *WHY* you are thankful for those things. See how much stronger the thankful spirit becomes in the room and how much more connected you feel to those around you! If you do this, come back and let me know how it went :)

Gratitude Beyond the Dinner Table 🍂 This Thanksgiving, many of us will pause to give thanks for family, friends, and abundance. But here’s a challenge: can we also find gratitude for work? I get it - work doesn’t always feel like something to be thankful for. It’s easy to focus on the grind, the frustrations, or the purely transactional nature of it. But gratitude can change the energy you bring to work - and what you get from it. And here’s the best part: it’s free. Even the most challenging parts of work - like that coworker who pushes all your buttons - might hold hidden gifts. I’m personally grateful for someone who sparked a negative reaction in me. Why? They helped me uncover something deeper about myself, and that self-awareness has made me stronger. Gratitude reminds us we’re not operating in isolation. It helps us see the connections that support us, challenge us, and help us grow. When we honor those connections, they often honor us right back. This Thanksgiving, let’s widen the lens and find gratitude - even in unexpected places. ✨ 💡 What’s something about work you’re grateful for?

Did you know that gratitude is the value most closely associated with joy? This means that even when things aren't going our preferred way, we can still feel happy just by identifying a few things for which we are truly thankful. When I first heard what for me seemed like such an over-simplified, Pollyanna, solution, I balked. "Yeah, right: naming a few things we're grateful for is really going to shift my mood? How is that so? Nothing outside of me will change, so how can I feel better even with the same circumstances?" Finally, things started feeling catastrophic enough that I became willing to try anything. So I started keeping a gratitude journal. Everyday, I listed 10 things for which I was truly grateful. Some days, I could write only "this day is finally over" or "this pen writes without my fighting to get it to work." And those things were ok. too. As long as I was being authentically grateful. Because you know what started happening the more gratitude lists I wrote? In the moment they were happening I would start noticing the things, people and places which would end up on my list later. As a consequence, I started simultaneously feeling and expressing my thankfulness as it was happening. I indeed became happier!! So during this week of Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday, btw), in the United States, I invite you all to start a gratitude journal. After all, with the chaos most of us experience in the world, wouldn't it be cool to raise the amount of joy in the ways we can? Gratitude lists will get us there. I'll start...I'm grateful for: 1. all of you reading this (without you, I wouldn't have a reason to write 😅). 2. the scheduling feature in LinkedIn which allows me to write this when most convenient for me 3. my gorgeous girls, whom I worked so hard to have. 15 years ago last week, I learned I was pregnant with my oldest 🥰. Now it's your turn...Please let me know in the comments three things you're grateful for. Once you list them notice how you mood may have shifted...would love to hear about that, too!! You deserve it. https://lnkd.in/dZgiFUgU

Do you say thank you enough? My wife and I started a gratitude jar this year. Each week on Sunday, we write down something we grateful for from the previous week and stick it in the jar. We don't look at what the other one writes. At the end of the year, we're going to go through that jar and read back each of those gratitude notes. The practice of focusing on gratitude and being sure to find something to be thankful for each week shouldn't be that hard. But, sometimes it has been. And that has been eye opening. It helps me recognize where my focus is and if my mind is in the right place each week. Gratitude is an amazing feeling, mindset and perspective. It replaces emotions of frustration, anger and sadness and often pushes negativity out of the mind. It instigates changes of mind and perspective and fosters positivity and optimism. The practice of gratitude is empowering. Gratitude changes attitude. No, it's not Thanksgiving this week or any other special holiday. No, nothing terrible has happened to drive me to extending more gratitude than usual this week. It's just a great day and practice to be grateful. What are you grateful for today? #everydayleadership #buildingyoubetter

Friday Reflection: On Gratitude 🌟 Gratitude has been a recurring theme this week—in conversations with my clients, in moments with my kids, and the US celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday. It feels like the perfect topic to spotlight as we head into the weekend. Gratitude is something I’ve made part of my daily practice. Especially on a busy day, pausing to acknowledge what you’re thankful for can shift your entire perspective. I am incredibly grateful for so many things in my life. It is not just about the big things; it’s in the small moments too. ✨ Weekend Question: What’s one thing you’re truly grateful for today? Take a moment to reflect and feel it. Happy weekend to you all. #fridayreflection #personaldevelopment #gratitude #KBCcoaching

Did you know that gratitude is the value most closely associated with joy? This means that even when things aren't going our preferred way, we can still feel happy just by identifying a few things for which we are truly thankful. When I first heard what for me seemed like such an over-simplified, Pollyanna, solution, I balked. "Yeah, right: naming a few things we're grateful for is really going to shift my mood? How is that so? Nothing outside of me will change, so how can I feel better even with the same circumstances?" Finally, things started feeling catastrophic enough that I became willing to try anything. So I started keeping a gratitude journal. Everyday, I listed 10 things for which I was truly grateful. Some days, I could write only "this day is finally over" or "this pen writes without my fighting to get it to work." And those things were ok. too. As long as I was being authentically grateful. Because you know what started happening the more gratitude lists I wrote? In the moment they were happening I would start noticing the things, people and places which would end up on my list later. As a consequence, I started simultaneously feeling and expressing my thankfulness as it was happening. I indeed became happier!! So during this week of Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday, btw), in the United States, I invite you all to start a gratitude journal. After all, with the chaos most of us experience in the world, wouldn't it be cool to raise the amount of joy in the ways we can? Gratitude lists will get us there. I'll start...I'm grateful for: 1. all of you reading this (without you, I wouldn't have a reason to write 😅). 2. the scheduling feature in LinkedIn which allows me to write this when most convenient for me 3. my gorgeous girls, whom I worked so hard to have. 15 years ago last week, I learned I was pregnant with my oldest 🥰. Now it's your turn...Please let me know in the comments three things you're grateful for. Once you list them notice how your mood shifted...would love to hear about that, too!! You deserve it. https://lnkd.in/dJChXPUh

Celebrating 100 Years of Life and Lessons from My Dearest Aunt Marnie 🌟 As I reflect on my Aunt Marnie, who lived to an incredible 100 years, what stands out most is not how many days she lived—but how wonderfully she lived, day-by-day. What still inspires me, even today, is her way of being—abundant, grateful, and ever-presently in the moment. On this Thanksgiving eve I’d be remised if I didn’t share at least a piece of the Marnie’s mindset with you: Appreciating everyone and everything. Appreciating everyone and everything in this moment. Because deep down, we know that no one, and nothing is permanent. It’s a truth that can be uncomfortable—but it’s also liberating. When we realize how fleeting time is, our inner critic surrenders to who and what we value most. Right now, while we have who and what we love offers the chance to feel appreciation, and even share our gratitude and magnify the importance of who and what matters most in our lives. Thanksgiving is a great reminder to give thanks—but why wait? Let’s make gratitude a daily practice. Not as another chore but as a way of living. Imagine the joy, the peace, and the connection that comes from truly appreciating everyone and everything in our lives. So here’s our challenge: Experience living with deep appreciation, as my Aunt Marnie did. Or, try the opposite, and feel the weight of life’s frustrations, focusing only on what’s missing, what’s wrong, and what should be better. (Spoiler Alert: It’s a path that leads to more dissatisfaction, scarcity, non-fulfillment.) But if you’re ready to transform your perspective, your relationships, and embrace the meaningfulness of life—try gratitude. Start today. And keep going. We all have so much to be thankful for, right now, in this moment. Thank you, Aunt Marnie, for living fully and helping us live more fully. Sidestepping the daily rat race, we learn how to actually get more from our day. 🙏 If you’re ready to embrace more gratitude, perspective, and meaningfulness in your life—and live your legacy—I’d love to support you on that journey. In session you will have my undivided attention as we will fearlessly go deep, go all-in living all-out, overcoming whatever it takes. If this is scary that’s a sign, an invitation to live the life YOU envy. I currently have 3 session availabilities. Reach out via LinkedIn direct message, or text (914)768-8111, and let’s explore that missing piece of life we that must be transformed from regret to MUST get. My legacy is unlocking your legacy. No regrets. #MarnieMindset #LifeFullOfThanks #Gratitude #Legacy #Purpose #Coaching #LivingALifeYouEnvy

Gratitude Monday💫 "Because being thankful is better than being grumpy." This season, I've been making a conscious effort to focus on gratitude. Today, I’m grateful for the gift of life that's is full of love and peace, and the support of friends and family. It’s easy to get caught up in what we want next, but taking a moment to appreciate what we already have is just as important. Pro Tip for Practicing Gratitude: Each morning, take 5 minutes to jot down one specific thing you’re grateful for and why it matters to you. The key is in the “why”—it makes gratitude feel more real and keeps it from becoming just another routine. Even on tough days, this small habit shifts your focus and sets a positive tone. Try it for a week, and see the difference it makes! #Gratitude #MondayMotivation #Thankful #GratitudePractice #MindsetMatters

Practicing gratitude can put everything else into perspective. When we truly allow ourselves to be grateful for our families and for the lives that we have, we will be more able to handle the frustrations and disappointments of life. We’ll see that the negatives don’t outweigh the positives. In fact, it’s the other way around! When we look at the negatives in light of the positives, we start to see that we have a lot more to be grateful for than we often take the time to notice. And we’ll start to see that most of the negatives are things that won’t feel like that big of a deal to us in a few months.  That’s the beauty of a day like Thanksgiving. It’s a reminder that all of the little things going wrong can distract us from all of the great things that are happening at the same time! It’s odd how that works, but painful or negative experiences tend to stand out to us more than exciting and joyful moments. So, to have a day to slow down and notice the positive and beautiful things is hugely beneficial.  As you gather together this coming week, I hope that you and your family will take some time to focus on what you’re thankful for. You may already have a way that you practice this in your family. If you don’t, maybe you could try going around the table and asking people to name something they’re thankful for before or during dinner. If you haven’t done this before, it might take people a little time to think of something, but that’s okay. Practicing a new perspective isn’t always an easy or immediate thing. Over time and with practice, we can all improve at noticing the positive and pausing to show gratitude for all of the beauty around us! #gratitude #thanksgiving2024