🏆 The Power of Gratitude in Coaching

💭ONE THOUGHT
The Power of Gratitude in Coaching

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on what truly matters.

While it is easy to focus on wins, stats, and results, what really matters are the relationships we build and the lessons we teach our players.

Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools a coach can use to create a positive, resilient team culture.

It shifts the focus from what’s missing to appreciating what we have.

What do you do to teach gratitude to your players?

One of our traditions occurs tomorrow.

I always have our team over after our Friday post-Thankgiving practice. We have a team dinner and bond as a team. My wife, Heidi, cooks us up a great meal!

After the meal, we usually watch college football or basketball. We then talk about gratitude. We have each player write a handwritten thank you note to their parents or someone special in their lives.

I take them all and mail them out the next day.

It is a small way to teach gratitude to our team.

This Thanksgiving, take a moment to think about how you can help your players develop an attitude of gratitude. Here are 10 simple ways to weave gratitude into your team’s culture:

1. Gratitude Huddles: Begin or end practice with each player sharing one quick and meaningful thing they’re thankful for.

2. Thank You Notes: Have players write thank-you notes to teammates, coaches, or family members who support them.

3. Post-Game Gratitude: Win or lose, recognize those who make the game possible—parents, fans, or officials.

4. Model It: Set the tone. Say “thank you” often, whether it’s for a player’s effort or a trainer’s help.

5. Gratitude Partners: Pair players up and share one thing they appreciate about each other before practice starts.

6. Highlight Helpers: Acknowledge the unsung heroes - team managers, trainers, or custodians who support the program.

7. Gratitude Journals: Encourage players to jot down three things they’re thankful for each day. Small practice, big results.

8. Pre-Game Perspective: Remind players how fortunate they are to play - healthy bodies, a supportive team, and an opportunity to compete.

9. Team Gratitude Projects: Organize service projects - like volunteering or writing thank-you cards to the community.

10. Celebrate the Journey: After tough practices or losses, reflect on what the team learned or overcame together.

Check out how Coach K’s Lesson in Gratitude.

Why Gratitude Matters

Gratitude isn’t just about feeling good. Research shows it improves resilience, builds connections, and enhances performance. Teams grounded in gratitude are less likely to break under pressure because they know how to focus on what truly matters.

This Thanksgiving, try one of these ideas with your team.

Start small with a simple thank you huddle or a quick note of appreciation. Watch how it shifts the mood and energy.

Gratitude is contagious. When you practice it, your players will, too - and the impact will last far beyond the season.

Good Luck and Happy Thanksgiving!

Greg

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