Hi there,

Every entrepreneur goes through periods when life seems hard and nothing seems to work.  We forget how much is actually going right.

 

Gratitude is a word that is bandied around a lot.  We all know a little about it and we know we should be practicing it, but what is it and how can it help you in your business or career?

 

Gratitude is by definition the quality of being thankful, readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Think of it as observing the things around you and making a conscious effort to appreciate them.

 

When we make a conscious effort to practice gratitude we look at the little things that we may take for granted, and appreciate them. 

 

This flows on to our relationships, start by saying thank you or I appreciate you when a friend, colleague or family member goes out of their way to show an act of kindness.

 

So how can you practice gratitude? 

 Set the tone for the day when you first get out of bed – or before you get up if that works for you.  Instead of focussing on the activities of the day, start by giving thanks to things that will either add value or make your life easier.

 

 Why practice gratitude?

Studies show that people who keep a journal exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole and were more optimistic.  They are also more likely to progress toward their goals.

 

Are you up for a gratitude challenge? 

 For the next week, write down your thoughts in a journal or notebook, let your thoughts flow and write down everything you are grateful for.

 

If you are seeking to feel more connected to others and have a more optimistic view towards life, here are 10 simple ways to make gratitude part of everyday life:

 

1.    Include an act of kindness in your life every day – it could be as simple as buying someone a cup of coffee.

2.    Nurture the friendships you have – good friendships don’t come along every day.

3.    When you think a negative thought – try seeing the positive in a situation.

4.    Write a card and thank someone for their generosity or that you are thinking of them.

5.    Live mindfully not worrying about the past or the future.

6.    Embrace challenges and turn them into opportunities to grow.

7.    Be thankful when you learn something new.

8.    Cook meals with love, think of the people you will be feeding.

9.    Commit to one day a week when you won’t complain about anything.

10.  Practice gratitude at the same time every day to make it a habit.

Footnote:

If you are interested in starting a gratitude journal, here are two options to get you up and running:

–      MiGoals launched a new product: https://migoals.com/collections/new-products

–      Or if you are a digital nerd, a popular app featured by Oprah is: http://rebrand.ly/thegratitudeapp

 

To your success….