Gratitude [re-crafted]

There is a whole lot of awareness about the value of practicing gratitude but I do notice some misconceptions.

Sometimes people I speak to tell me: I’m so bad at being grateful!

They have in their head that gratitude requires a Gratitude Journal and a committed practice of noting down three Gratitude Worthy things, at a set time each night.

Now, don’t get me wrong – this sort of effort is fantastic and if it works for you [and feels good] then absolutely, keep it up. But if you’ve tried and tried and this has now just become a Great Big Fat Should then I would suggest letting it go. And trying something else instead.

Maybe something like this:

• Before you get out of bed in the morning, take a moment to think of just one thing you’re looking forward to in your day
• Pay attention to the good stuff, as it happens. Visual cues – a thread around your wrist or a dot on your hand – can help you get into the habit of noticing positive moments
• Stay curious about how you could invite more of the good stuff in. Say you have an inspiring chat with a colleague, ask yourself: what can I do to build more of those types of conversation into my everyday? Then do those things
• Turn off your phone for a little while. There is a whole lot of amazing, inspiring life-stuff going on out there, which you can miss when you’re scrolling Instagram. When you’re on the tram or sitting on a bench for lunch or walking the dog, why not unplug, lift your gaze and see what happens?
• Get into the habit of responding positively when someone asks how you are. Instead of automatically replying: good, how are you? You could answer more completely: I’m good, I just had a great coffee or I’m feeling really calm, I just came back from a trip to the beach
• Book-end your day by taking a moment before you go to sleep, to think of one thing that felt good. Don’t feel you have to go big: a huge promotion is great but so too is that nourishing soup that warmed your belly at lunch.

Tags: life-coaching, Melbourne