Let me start with this. My blogs are written more for me than for you. I need these reminders or I tend to get off track…
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. This has been a week where our focus has been on gratitude, all we have, and everything we have to be thankful for. It’s a time where we all wind down a bit, spend time with family and friends, and celebrate the blessings in our lives.
My question for you (and me) is this. Where’s your focus?
Being all in on Thanksgiving requires us to be focused on the goodness in our lives. In the midst of all the noise, distractions, and challenges, each of us possesses a long list of things to be grateful for.
Over time, I’ve learned that gratitude needs to be a daily practice. It’s not just important for one week in November – it needs to become our go-to. Most every day in my office starts with a worksheet I use to plan my day, and a core part of that worksheet involves writing down three things I am thankful for. Some days I fill it with things like my family, coworkers, and clients. Other days it includes simple things like the sunshine, a warm place to sleep, or a reliable vehicle. Some days it as simple as a meal I love, or a warm cup of coffee. What ends up on the list is less important. The real value comes from slowing down just long enough to consider gratitude in the first place.
On the flipside, I’ve also become more in tune to those moments when I am not focusing on gratitude. When the stress gets heavy, or negativity creeps in, I’ve learned to hit reset. Some days this is easy, and some days it is a battle.
The Takeaway
Being intentional about being grateful is the key.