Start with Gratitude

There's plenty of science that supports the fact that practicing gratitude cultivates wellbeing. Yet, I struggled with weaving a gratitude practice into my daily life. I finally succeeded by developing two 1-minute micro-habits.

Gratitude Starts with You

It's difficult to be truly grateful for external circumstances or relationships if you're not able to express gratitude for yourself and your inner life. To cultivate deeper appreciation, I start my day by writing down three gratitudes related to myself and my situation.

These might include physical, emotional, or character "strengths." I might also list a recent experience, a simple convenience or pleasure, or even a challenge that tests and develops me.

Here's my list for this day - "Today I am grateful for a curious mind, a cool breeze, and a difficult conversation I'm having later today."

What three gratitudes are on your list today?

Finding the Good in Others

A practice I learned from Seth Godin in the altMBA is "Finding the Good in Others." There are just two steps. First, "catch" someone doing something "right." Second, tell them.

Here's my "catch and tell" for today - "I noticed that you read my blog today. Thanks for lending my work some of your valuable attention. It means the world to me!"

When can you try this exercise today?

Let's keep flying higher together!

Scott Perry, Chief Difference-Maker at C reative on Purpose

If what you just read resonated, please share it with a friend.