There are plenty of studies that list all the positive ways gratitude will impact your life. Greater happiness, improvement to health, adversity management and stronger relationships are just a few. During difficult times, it is very easy to get caught up in complaining about all the problems you face instead of taking the time to focus on how to be more grateful.
“When times get tough, everyone has to make a fundamental decision: to complain or to be grateful. In an environment where negative sentiment is rampant, the consequences of this decision are much greater. Complaining only attracts negative thoughts and people. Gratitude, on the other hand, creates the opportunity for the best thinking, actions and results to emerge. Focus on everything you are grateful for, communicate this, and open yourself each day to the best possible consequences.”
– Dan Sullivan, Strategic Coach
How To Be More Grateful
Don’t Be Picky
You should be appreciating the big AND the small things happening in your life. There is also no monthly limit on the amount of things you are grateful for. You should be generously utilizing gratitude in your life instead of saving it only for special occasions.
Keep A Journal
Make it a habit to start writing down things that you’re grateful for. Figure out when is best to set aside time to record things that occurred that have enriched your life. It doesn’t have to be daily or even weekly. This is a time for you to reflect on all the good things you have going in your life.
Tell People About It
One of the best ways to really focus on gratitude is by sharing what you’re grateful for with others. You’ll find that it will make you happier and more positive while also being highly contagious. This is best when you’re sharing your gratitude toward someone for something that they did that benefited you.
Watch Your Language
However, being thankful for all the good things in your life is not a time to pump your chest as you step up on a pedestal. Practicing gratitude is not supposed to translate into practicing your pride. Instead of focusing on all your good fortune, concentrate your language on all the good things other people have done on your behalf.
MORE STRATEGIES…
Inspired by The “Scary Times” Manual by Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach, this is the final installment of the Strategies for Success Amid COVID-19 blog series focused on 10 strategies to help support growth and positive thinking during uncertain times. We hope that you continue to use this series as a resource to continue to progress during times of uncertainty.
Strategies For Success Amid COVID-19:
1. Forget about yourself, focus on others
2. Developing client and work relationships
3. How to create value for clients
4. Focus on your opportunities
5. Why you should focus on your progress, not your challenges
6. Forget about the future, focus on today
7. Six ways to focus on your future self
8. How to respond to unexpected events
9. Focus on your available resources
10. How to be more grateful
Excellent post Jeff