Building Momentum Through Daily Gratitude Practices for Returners
As the final quarter of the year rolls in, Akraya leans into something powerful: gratitude. In past years, this has been more than a seasonal sentiment; it has become a guiding theme for how we give back as a company and community. This year too, as part of our “Gratitude Drive,” we are invited to slow down, reflect, and take small, intentional actions that matter, especially during the busy holiday season. That is exactly what we focused on in this week’s Power Hour.
Why Gratitude Matters (Especially Now)
Tami M. Forman’s conversation on gratitude captured a reality many of us share: when we are stressed or stretched thin, feeling thankful can feel out of reach. She reminded us that gratitude is not just a feeling; it is a practice we can build. For the last six weeks of the year, she is leaning into four simple habits to tap into the power of gratitude:
1. Recommit to self-care
You cannot genuinely feel grateful if you are exhausted, resentful, or emotionally depleted. Taking care of yourself through sleep, rest, and nourishing food creates the foundation for everything else.
2. Notice what you already have
Gratitude starts with awareness. Tami encourages us to pause, look around, and appreciate that all the pieces of our life, including career, family, and relationships, are part of something we intentionally built and wanted.
3. Express your thanks
Gratitude becomes real when it is shared. Reach out to people who supported you this year, in big or small ways, and let them know how their support helped you move forward.
4. Give back intentionally
If you can, support nonprofits or community organizations with your time, skills, or financial resources. Giving back is not only generous; it is deeply grounding and can reconnect you to your purpose.
How Power Hour Brings It All Together
PowerHour is not just a space to talk about careers or job strategy. During the fourth quarter, it becomes a place to reflect on what matters, reconnect with purpose, and act on gratitude in real, practical ways. In this session, we discussed how to set self-care boundaries, so you do not burn out while job searching or working, how to use gratitude practices in your job search by noticing your achievements, appreciating your supporters, and using that energy to fuel applications and interviews.
We also explored how to leverage your network to express genuine gratitude to mentors, colleagues, and friends, both professionally and personally, and how to find ways to give back that align with your strengths through volunteering, mentoring, or donating in ways that feel authentic to you.
The Bigger Picture: Akraya, Women Back to Work, and Gratitude
Akraya’s fourth quarter Gratitude Drive is not just an internal initiative. It aligns naturally with the mission of Women Back to Work, which focuses on helping returners relaunch careers, supporting women reentering the workforce, and building a strong, inclusive community. By combining gratitude practices, career support, and community giving, Akraya and Women Back to Work are closing out the year with both momentum and meaning.
Your Invitation
As we move deeper into this quarter, consider taking a moment each day to pause and notice at least one thing you are grateful for. Reach out to someone who helped you this year and tell them why their support mattered. Choose one small way to give back, whether with your time, your skills, or your resources.
Join us in Power Hour to stay supported, reflect, and make gratitude part of your return-to-work journey. Women Back to Work and Akraya believe your career return is not just about landing a role; it is about building a work life that aligns with who you are, what you value, and how you want to contribute. That is gratitude in action.