Do you have an attitude of gratitude?
Most successful men pursue self-development in various areas of their lives. As a reader of this website, you probably do the same, and that’s a great thing.
But what if I told you that if you developed just one more trait, it would fast-track your growth in the areas of your life you’re working on?
There is such a trait, and that trait is gratitude. And in this article, I’ll share with you the three activities that have helped me develop an attitude of gratitude… and how it helped me rise from the darkest times of my life.
#1: Keep a Gratitude Journal.
Every evening, I take 5 minutes to write down everything that happened during the day that I’m grateful for. I suggest you do the same – I use a notebook, but a document on your PC will do fine.
My journal-writing habit started many years ago, when I was in a frustrating period in my life. My business was failing, my partner had abandoned me, and I was in a custody battle for my son. That night, I had no one to talk to, so I wrote down my frustrations on a piece of paper.
Afterward, I realized how much better I felt after ranting on paper. So I decided to keep doing it, and gradually my situation became so much less stressful.
Later on, I thought: Instead of simply ranting about my day, why don’t I write about the pros and cons of each day? I started doing that, and the mere act of writing about the good stuff made me feel even better.
And here’s the kicker: After a few years of writing the pros and cons of each day, I realized: Even the cons helped me become a better man. I learned that nothing that happens to me is really a bad thing – it’s either a blessing or a lesson, and all lessons are blessings.
Today, my gratitude journal keeps me grounded, and prevents me from falling back into the negative thought patterns of my youth. If you find yourself unable to break free from negativity and skepticism, start a gratitude journal – and the sooner, the better!
#2: Writing Thank-You Notes
I’m an entrepreneur, and I have dozens of people working under me. I recently got into the habit of handwriting thank-you notes to members of my staff who did a good job – whether it was finishing a project on a tight deadline or for simply brewing a new pot of coffee for the office every time it runs out.
Isn’t that cheesy or manipulative? It might be for some people. But in my experience, you can’t go wrong with it – people love feeling appreciated, and they’ll keep doing what you appreciate.
You can also mail handwritten thank-you notes to your clients, customers, partners – ANYONE. No one ever does it anymore, and they’ll remember you for it.
#3: Make Gratitude a Part of Everyday Conversation
These days, I don’t just put my gratitude on paper – I also say it. Whenever I’m in easy conversations with friends, I frequently express what I’m thankful for. Even when something went badly for me, I say: “Well, I’m thankful for the lesson, now it won’t happen to me again.”
My friends always tell me: “That’s a great way of looking at things.” And it is. And little by little, I noticed my friends also adopting an attitude of gratitude. It’s infectious, and it makes life so much easier for everyone.
What Are You Thankful For?
I’ve shared three habits of mine that cultivate my attitude of gratitude. Which one can you start RIGHT NOW? Try it out for the next few weeks – you’ll be surprised at how much better your life becomes.
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Photo: Getty Images
