I’ve always been curious about happiness and what makes people happy. I found there is a mountain of research tying happiness to gratefulness. So I did more research on how to inspire gratefulness in others — especially my kids.

To work on being more grateful as a family, many years ago we implemented a bedtime practice of “Three Goods.” When I tucked them in, each one of the kids had to come up with three good things that had happened to them that day. I know it’s hard to believe, but this is not as easy as it seems. Sometimes about all we got were things like: “Lunch was good today.” But as time went on, we all got better at identifying things throughout the day that made us happy.

As we enter the season of giving thanks, I encourage everyone to start a “Three Goods” practice. Think about what three things you are thankful for each night before you go to sleep. Research suggests that gratitude will make you happier.

So what are we thankful for, here at Green County Development Corporation? We have many more than three things, but here are just a few:

Good Number One: Helping businesses

We are so thankful for the Small Business Development Center staff working with more than 80 Green County businesses this year, up from 50 businesses in 2018. Kristi Smith and Jason Schleip are the best business counselors in the state, and we are so appreciative to have them working for our businesses in Green County. 

Good Number Two: Publicity

A big part of helping more businesses is getting the word out. We’ve found that we need to constantly remind businesses that we have free, confidential business coaching, on any subject. What a great opportunity. But if you are a business owner and you don’t know about that assistance when you need it, it isn’t helpful. We thank Big Radio for our ongoing Spotlights on Green County where we highlight opportunities for businesses, and specifically for business coaching. We are thankful to the Monroe Times for running monthly GCDC columns like this one to remind businesses that we are here to help. Nearly every week I get a call from a local business owner who says, “I heard you on the radio,” or “I read your article in the Times.”

Getting the word out also means the chance to do presentations at city and village board meetings and for local organizations. Thank you to our local Optimists, Kiwanis and other service and community organizations that have offered time on their agendas to talk about the services we can provide to businesses. If we haven’t done a presentation at your local organization meeting recently, please invite us. We’re happy to attend!

Good Number Three: Funding for Businesses 

We finally have a tool in our toolbox that includes funding for Green County businesses! Thank you to the businesses that have donated to the Growth Opportunity Fund. The Growth Opportunity Fund ensures local startups and emerging growth companies have the financial resources in place to grow and prosper, and that benefits everyone in Green County. We appreciate financial support from the William S. Knight Foundation, Colony Brands, Bank of Brodhead, First National Bank & Trust, Greenwoods State Bank, Sugar River Bank/Bank of New Glarus, Wisconsin Bank & Trust, Woodford State Bank and Monroe Clinic. 

Those are the “Three Goods” for today, but I can think of many more things we are thankful for at GCDC including: UniverCity Year, the Enterprise Center at Blackhawk Technical College, local and regional partners — the list can go on and on.

Think about your “Three Goods,” and thank you for your support of GCDC!

— Cara Carper is executive director at Green County Development Corporation. She can be reached at cara.gcdc@tds.net.