Gratitude That Grounds and Grows Your Coaching Practice | by Dr Steve Jeffs MCC

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more." — Melody Beattie

As coaches, we spend our days guiding clients to uncover clarity, purpose, and transformation. But how often do we pause to turn that lens inward? How often do we notice the moments of abundance in our own coaching journeys and our own lives?

Celebrated annually on September 21, World Gratitude Day is a reminder to do just that. To take a moment and notice what we are grateful for. Established in 1965 by spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy, this global observance encourages individuals, communities, and organizations to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for the gifts in their lives (World Gratitude Day – Sri Chinmoy Centre).

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is more than a polite "thank you." It’s a powerful mindset and energy practice that can transform how we experience life, our coaching work, and the impact we have on clients. Interestingly, gratitude can be both a state and a trait! Trait gratitude relates to those of us who tend to see and experience more gratitude in our lives. Think of those people who just seem to be more grateful, even in the face of challenges. State gratitude, on the other hand, is more about how we feel in the moment. The good news is that wherever you find yourself with everyday gratitude, the research shows that regular practice can boost mental well-being, reduce stress, increase empathy, and improve your relationships (Time, 2022).

Why Gratitude Matters for Coaches

We know that Coaching is both a rewarding and demanding profession. Emotional resilience, clarity, and creativity are essential tools, and gratitude nourishes all of them. Here’s why it’s crucial to pay attention to our own gratitude practices (not just our clients’):

1. Enhance Presence – When we practice gratitude, we anchor ourselves in the present moment, allowing us to be fully attentive and empathetic with clients.
2. Strengthen Resilience – A gratitude practice helps reframe challenges, making obstacles feel like opportunities for growth rather than setbacks.
3. Fuel Motivation – Recognizing small wins—both yours and your clients’—builds momentum and reinforces positive action.
4. Model Positive Mindsets – Clients often mirror our attitudes. When they see coaches grounded in gratitude, they are more likely to adopt similar practices.

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." — William Arthur Ward

Scientific Insights on Gratitude

Remember that Gratitude isn’t just a “feel-good” idea—science shows it can transform mindset, relationships, and even health:

• Neuroscience: Gratitude practices activate brain areas linked to dopamine (motivation, reward) and serotonin (well-being, calm), helping rewire the brain toward positivity (Zahn et al., 2009; Fox et al., 2015).
• Psychology: Regular gratitude exercises—like keeping a gratitude journal—reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while boosting happiness, resilience, and life satisfaction (Emmons & McCullough, 2003; Seligman et al., 2005).
• Physiology: People who practice gratitude often report better sleep, healthier hearts, and stronger immune systems (Wood et al., 2008; Mills et al., 2015).

What this means for us as coaches:
Cultivating gratitude isn’t just about feeling good. It shifts mindset, builds resilience, strengthens relationships, and supports well-being—all essential for personal growth, leadership, and peak performance.

Gratitude for Yourself as a Coach

It’s easy to focus on clients, business growth, and deliverables—but your own well-being matters. Ask yourself:

• What about my coaching practice am I grateful for?
• What strengths do I bring to my clients that I often overlook?
• Which moments in my work bring me joy, even in small ways?

Reflecting on these questions not only boosts personal satisfaction but strengthens the authenticity you bring into coaching sessions.

"When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears." — Tony Robbins

If you are ready to take Gratitude to the next level, then have a go at this reflective tool and do some daily journaling.

Integrating Gratitude into Your Coaching Practice

Here’s two simple ways that you can practically weave gratitude into your coaching work:

1) Begin Sessions with Gratitude

Invite clients to open each coaching session by acknowledging something they’re grateful for, even if it’s small. This sets a positive tone and reminds clients to notice abundance in their own lives.

Here are some questions you could start with:

• "What’s one thing this week that brought you joy or taught you something valuable?"
• "What successes have you had since we spoke last?"

2) Invite clients to complete the 3x3 Gratitude Practice

We invited you to do your own journaling using this tool above – bring this into your coaching relationships and encourage your clients to give it a go. What’s exciting about this, is that by you already having used the tool, you will have your own insights, experience and understanding of what a structured Gratitude Practice brings to your life!

"Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance." — Eckhart Tolle

Practical Ideas for World Gratitude Day (September 21)

Now that you have read about gratitude and how to grow it, take action! Do something to make this year’s World Gratitude Day even more meaningful. Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Lead a gratitude session with your clients
2. Post a “Gratitude Challenge” in your coaching community
3. Write thank-you notes to mentors, colleagues, or clients (AND deliver them!)
4. Do the 3x3 Gratitude Practice yourself every day for a month (and share your insights with your community).

This day is a reminder that gratitude is both personal and relational—it strengthens connections, fosters joy, and amplifies the impact of your coaching.

Wrap Up

Gratitude is a skill. Just like coaching itself, it grows with attention and practice. For us as coaches, it is a powerful tool that nurtures both personal well-being and professional effectiveness. By intentionally cultivating gratitude, you create a ripple effect—your presence, energy, and authenticity influence every client interaction, every decision, and every moment of your coaching journey. For us as Humans, it allows us to experience these benefits – not just our clients!

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others." — Cicero

This World Gratitude Day, take a moment to pause, reflect, and honour what is working, what is growing, what you are learning, and what is yet to come. When you do, you’ll find that gratitude doesn’t just fill your own cup—it overflows into your coaching practice and your clients’ lives.

If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:

• 5 Coaching Questions To Create A Habit Of Gratitude (GRAPHIC)
• 3 Easy Ways to Take Your Gratitude Journaling to the Next Level  by Lynda Monk CPCC
• 59 of The Best Gratitude Quotes For You To Share and Ponder!

Contributing Author:

Dr Steve Jeffs is a Master Certified Coach (MCC), business and organisational psychologist, and leadership transformation expert with over 20 years of global experience. Before becoming a full-time coach, Steve led large-scale leadership assessment and development programs, organisational change initiatives, and cultural transformation projects across the Middle East, working with government bodies, multinationals, and high-growth businesses. His early career as a registered psychologist and management consultant continues to shape his pragmatic, systems-oriented approach to coaching and leadership.

Today, Steve serves as Director of Coaching at The Coaching Tools Company, where he brings together his expertise in psychology, strategy, and personal development to create practical, impactful tools for coaches and leaders alike. He is also the Co-Founder of The Guiding Matrix, a company dedicated to helping coaches grow sustainable businesses while expanding their leadership capacity.

With over 5,000 coaching hours, Steve has worked with executives and teams in more than 20 countries, including in the UK, UAE, KSA, USA, Egypt, South Africa, and the Philippines. His coaching clients include leaders from organisations such as HSBC, Siemens, Roche Diagnostics, STC, Etisalat, Sanofi, and Dubai Holding. As one of the first MCCs in the Middle East, Steve has also trained and mentored over 1,000 coaches globally and continues to supervise coaches through their credentialing journeys.

Steve is a multi-award-winning coach, recognised globally for his work on leadership and innovation—including honours from the World Innovation Congress and CHRO Asia. He is co-author of Stuck No More: Practical Self-Coaching for Everyday Problems and Shift Up: Strength Strategies for Optimal Living, and is the creator of multiple strengths-based assessments and coaching tools, including the StrengthsMultiplier™. With a Doctorate in Leadership and a Master's in Organisational Psychology, Steve blends deep psychological insight with practical coaching to help individuals, teams, and organisations thrive.

Originally from Australia, Steve now lives in the UK having worked in the UAE for over a decade, bringing both global perspective and deep regional understanding to his work. When not coaching or creating tools, you’ll likely find him exploring deep caves or shipwrecks—he’s a certified technical diver and cave explorer who brings the same spirit of curiosity and courage to his coaching and leadership work.

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