What does gratitude have to do with your success? Well, a lot, in fact.
Gratitude is the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful, and November is the perfect time to consider how powerful it can be.
According to Author and Researcher Dr. Robert Emmons “Gratitude improves emotional and physical health, and it can strengthen relationships and communities. Some strategies include keeping a gratitude journal, learning prayers of gratitude and using visual reminders.” Health and relationships are important aspects of success when it comes to running your business and serving your clients!
Gratitude is a chosen attribute – an “emotional muscle” and one that should be used and strengthened (as written in an article for Inc.com by Goeffrey James).
In our hectic lives it is not always easy to stay in the mindset of being grateful. Not because we aren’t grateful, but we are busy with our families, friends and professional lives. During the year-end season, we tend to be more mindful of the people in our lives we feel thankful for, yet we may have less time to practice it, or feel pressure to do so. Allowing the space for gratitude can make all the difference. Sometimes it’s a card or a gift that allows us to express that gratitude. Other times, it’s a moment of silence or meditation where we can express that gratitude within ourselves.
The key is to practice it every day.
How can you be more successful in inhabiting and expressing gratitude on a daily basis? Try a reminder note on your mirror or by your bed that prompts you to ask yourself “who did I encounter today that made me smile or helped me with work, or just simply made my day/life better?” Or, “what do I feel grateful for right now, in this moment?”
Everyday there are people besides your friends and family that provide services to you or perform acts of kindness that enhance your life. Teachers, Policeman, Fireman, Vendors, Clients, Neighbors, Co-workers, Barista’s, dare I say even the folks you may have to deal with at the IRS or DOL.
Imagine how you feel when you receive a sincere “thank you.” Research supports the idea that experiencing gratitude can positively impact all areas of your life. It’s something we can all get better at and there is no time to start like the present!
I am grateful to you for investing a moment of your time to read this and I hope your gratitude muscle strengthens a little more each day. Here’s to your success!