How To Practice Gratitude
I have not always practiced gratitude. However, I consider myself an optimistic person. I have always looked at every situation with the glass half-full. After reading countless self-help books, I found that a key element of success is gratitude.
So I decided to challenge myself for 30 days and recognize one thing I am grateful for each day. By practicing gratitude, I found that I am happier and excited about the day ahead.
Now you are probably asking me, what does gratitude mean?
Gratitude is your center point that is needed when you set your goals high, whether it be a one-year or ten-year goal, and you are going through the grind and the days just get tougher and tougher. That is when the attitude of gratitude comes in, you look around and you are grateful for what you have, even though you still want more in life.
Why is practicing gratitude important?
Practicing gratitude helps you overcome obstacles and crush goals. When you are present and grateful for today, you become less anxious about tomorrow. You understand what can go wrong, will go wrong, but these roadblocks are tiny when looking at the bigger picture. Practicing gratitude is what gives you the 10,000 feet overview of your plan. One or two bumps on the road will not stop you from reaching your goals.
As Oprah Winfrey famously said, “be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.”
How You Can Practice Gratitude in 3 Easy Steps:
1. Start Small.
Find one thing that you appreciate that happened today. It could be your morning coffee, phone call with a friend, or your favorite show.
Take in what you love about what is in front of you. Once you start appreciating simple little things, you will begin to notice more greatness around you.
2. Write It Down.
Grab your pen and your Sked Planner and write down what you are grateful for, big or small. Writing things down makes it easier for you to remember the awesome things in your life.
3. Make It A Habit.
Research shows it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days for a person to form a new habit and an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic.
Keep looking for the mini-awesome moments in your life and jot down the best things around you.
In no time, an attitude of gratitude will come naturally to you.
I invite you to do a 7-day gratitude challenge. Tag us on Facebook or show us on Instagram by tagging #SkedSquad.
