What You Give Your Attention to Grows

What you focus on amplifies.

It's a simple but powerful truth that can shape our mindset and ultimately determine our success. Positive psychology defines gratitude as "acknowledging the good things in life."

Gratitude is not just an emotional response but a conscious practice of recognizing the benefits we receive from others. Action, not necessarily a feeling.

Often, we get caught up in the never-ending cycle of comparison and scarcity, focusing on what we don't have or the progress we haven't made.

But by deliberately cultivating gratitude, we can shift our focus towards the abundance in our lives, the opportunities we've been given, and the positive aspects of our journey.

Make it a habit.

Developing a daily gratitude practice is a powerful way to train ourselves to focus on the positives. One simple exercise I recommend is writing down three things you're grateful for each day.

These can range from significant accomplishments to seemingly mundane, everyday joys.

This was a habit that took me time to build. I felt it was too basic, too simple, that it didn't make sense to write down that I was grateful for coffee, or my dogs sleeping through the night, or something else, well, common.

But I forced myself to start the habit by incorporating it into our Win Your Next Journal. The change wasn't immediate, but I couldn't help notice it over time, specifically how I was able to find good in my frustrating moments.

By consciously practicing gratitude, especially on days when we don't feel it, we are strengthening our ability to find reasons to be grateful. This builds a habit of positivity and trains our brains to spot even more things to appreciate throughout the day.

We start recognizing the silver linings in challenges and frustrations, becoming more resilient and optimistic.

Gratitude: It does a body good.

Did you know gratitude not only influences our mental health but also impacts how our bodies process chemicals?

Scientific research has shown that practicing gratitude positively affects our limbic system, resulting in the release of toxic emotions, a reduction in pain, and an improvement in sleep quality.

During physical discomfort or mental fatigue, leveraging gratitude can be a game-changer.

For instance, I often remind myself of the opportunity to push my limits during a tough workout. By shifting my focus from discomfort to gratitude, I reframe the experience as a chance for personal growth.

And guess what? Studies have shown that this shift in perspective can actually reduce pain levels.

See Your Gratitude Grow

To make gratitude a lasting practice, I suggest taking it a step further.

Imagine setting up a gratitude jar in your kitchen or office. Each day, grab a piece of paper and jot down one thing you're grateful for. Over time, you'll witness the jar filling up with your moments of appreciation.

Not only does this reinforce your daily gratitude practice, but it also serves as a visual reminder of your progress.

Even on the toughest days, when it may seem hard to find something to be grateful for, your gratitude jar will be a testament to the resilience and growth you've achieved.

And in sharing this practice with those around you, you'll inspire others to cultivate gratitude in their own lives.

The Power of a Redirected Focus

As human beings, we have a natural negative bias. Our brains are wired to protect us by scanning for threats and focusing on the negative aspects of life.

When we intentionally shift our focus towards gratitude, we rewire our brains to seek out opportunities and the good in our lives.

Refusing to be a victim of circumstances outside our control, we choose to focus on what we still have instead of dwelling on what we lack. By finding reasons to be grateful even in the face of challenges, we adopt a more productive mindset and regain control of our attitude.

Key Takeaways for Leaders:

1. Gratitude is a powerful amplifier of positive energy and can significantly impact your leadership journey.
2. Cultivate a daily gratitude practice to train your brain to focus on the positives, even on challenging days.
3. Gratitude not only strengthens mental resilience but can also positively affect your physical well-being.
4. Consider setting up a gratitude jar to visually track your progress and remind yourself of your growth.
5. Shifting your focus to gratitude helps overcome negativity bias and empowers you to seize opportunities.

As we approach Thanksgiving, amidst the hustle and bustle of turkey and football, let's not lose sight of the incredible power that gratitude holds in our lives.

By embracing gratitude - even if it's being surrounded by family members from an opposing political party or worse, a rival football team - and focusing on what we're grateful for, we can lead with a positive mindset, influence those around us, and unlock our full leadership potential.

Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving, Leader.

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