Given the fast-paced nature of the holiday season, it’s often difficult to take a step back and reflect appropriately on all that you have been blessed with throughout the year.
Take the Thanksgiving holiday, for example. You needn’t look any further than the hordes of hard-core Black Friday shoppers that will interrupt a day reserved to give thanks for the things they already have, just to wait hours in line for the chance to buy more ‘stuff.’
Clearly, a few of us are missing the mark when it comes to embracing the concept of gratitude and counting our blessings.
(And no, I’m not saying you’re bad for participating in Black Friday. I’m just saying that we should leave the Thanksgiving holiday alone, instead of starting earlier and earlier each year.)
Because, this doesn’t have to be the norm!
In fact, studies have shown that being grateful and counting your blessings can actually make you feel more happy and satisfied with your life. And who doesn’t need more of that?
By definition, gratitude is a feeling of happiness that comes from appreciation. While the act of showing gratitude doesn’t involve a tremendous amount of work, it does require consistent application in order to become a habit.
Here are three reasons why practicing gratitude in your daily life will not only alter your attitude, but also have a profound effect on your life and finances. We’ve also included a few tips to help you get started.
1. Gratitude Increases Self-esteem
Studies have shown that gratitude greatly reduces social comparisons. Rather than becoming resentful toward people who seem to have more, grateful people are able to appreciate other’s accomplishments.
By sharing in the joys of other people’s successes without comparing them to yourself, you are able to extract the maximum possible satisfaction and enjoyment from your current circumstances. This, in turn, increases your own self-esteem.
And it doesn’t end there!
Research also proves that there is a positive correlation between high self-esteem and increased income. (Again, you doesn’t need more of that?)
2. Gratitude Strengthens Relationships
The very nature of gratitude is a focus on the benevolent acts of others. For example, while you may not think much of saying “thank you” to a stranger holding the door, by acknowledging that person’s contribution to your day (no matter how small), you are taking steps toward building a relationship.
Gratitude makes us nicer, more approachable, more trusting and more appreciative. As a result, it helps us make more friends and deepen our existing relationships.
And relationships can come in handy, in more ways than one. Afterall, “it’s not what you know, but who you know.” This rings true now more than ever. According to a report from ABC News, nearly 80% of today’s jobs are landed through networking.
3. Gratitude Reduces Our Need for ‘Stuff’
In our consumer driven society, we are inundated by messages that convince us that what we have is not enough, and in order to live a full life, we must acquire more ‘stuff’. Gratitude helps by reducing our tendency to measure our worth by the acquisition of more material items and instead shifts that focus toward contentment with what we already have.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to have nice things, gratitude helps you focus only on those things that truly matter. If you are genuinely thankful and appreciative for what you have, you are far less likely to pay attention to or envy what the Jones’ have.
3 Quick Tips to Remain Grateful Throughout the Year:
1. Write down what you’re grateful for and revisit it often.
One easy way to maintain awareness of what you’re thankful for, is to keep a “gratitude journal.” At the end of each day, spend a few quiet minutes alone reflecting on what you are grateful for and write it down in your journal. Make every effort to choose quality over quantity – as elaborating in detail about one particular thing that you’re grateful for is more beneficial than a superficial list of many things.
Then anytime you begin to feel depressed or just overwhelmed with life, you can take out your journal and reflect on the positive. You’ll be surprised at how quickly your mood can change!
2. Show gratitude at every opportunity.
When someone improves your life in a positive manner, you should make every effort to let them know how their act of generosity affected you. And depending on the gesture, a simple “thank you” in passing or a text message, is just not enough.
With technology at our fingertips, it’s easy to lean on the accessibility of gadgets to help show our appreciation for others. However, if you truly want to convey your gratitude, opt for interpersonal communication over electronic. Consider writing a handwritten note, calling the person on the phone or inviting them over for a cup of coffee to express your gratefulness.
Resist the urge to offer a general “thanks for your help.” Instead, be specific about what they did and explain how it made a difference.
3. Change your outlook.
By making a concerted effort to embrace a sense of gratitude for what you have (rather than complain about the things you lack), you will begin to notice a gradual shift in your overall mindset.
Don’t fall into the trap of focusing on what’s wrong in your life. Instead, preserve your precious mental energy by focusing on the positive and celebrating your wins – both big and small.
In Conclusion
Giving thanks shouldn’t be resigned to one day a year.
Gratitude is more than just a show of appreciation. It’s an overall approach to life.
And we all have the ability to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. And we absolutely should!
By identifying what you’re grateful for, showing your appreciation for others, and changing your outlook, you can set the perfect tone for a joy-filled holiday season. What are you waiting for?