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How to make gratitude a way of life
Philosophical roots of gratitude
Aristotle argued that we become what we habitually do. If we spend our days thinking of everything that has gone poorly and how dark our future appears, we can think ourselves into misery.
While we should pay attention to the many injustices to be righted, we can also make the world a better place by being aware of the good things it already affords. We can change ourselves into the kind of people who seek out and celebrate things we can be thankful for.
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Gratitude
Practicing gratitude is good for our mental and physical health.
Several scientific studies show that there is a deep neural connection between gratitude and giving. When we're grateful, our...
Gratitude journaling
The practice involves writing down things for which you are grateful. Researchers say it is more impactful to write in detail about one particular thing than to jot down a superficial list of things.
Writing once or twice a week is better for your well-being than doing it every day. It is because we adapt to positive events quickly, especially if we always focus on them.
Gratitude letters and visits
Write a letter of gratitude to someone, even if you never send the message. The positive effects this has on the brain can last for months.
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Appreciate everything
The habit of being grateful starts with appreciating every good thing in life and recognizing that there is nothing too small for you to be thankful for.
Find gratitude in your challenges
Gratitude is not only about being thankful for positive experiences. Sometimes thinking about negative or difficult situations can help to really nail down what you have to be thankful for.
Dig a little deeper into some of your own past experiences and try to figure out how they have helped shape you into the person you are today.
Practice mindfulness
Sit down daily and think through five to ten things you are grateful for.
Picture it in your mind and sit with that feeling of gratitude in your body. Doing this every day will rewire your brain to be naturally more grateful, and you’ll start feeling happier after every session.
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Motivation affects your work
No matter how passionate you are about your work, you will run into aspects of your career that you are not fond of.
Our overall experience is dictated by our mindset and approach we ta...
Consider Your Current Position
When we become used to the daily grind, we end up losing ourselves along the way. It is only when we approach work with the mindset of providing value that we gain a sense of achievement.
Ask yourself why you have this job. Does it involve work you are passionate about? Is there something you particularly enjoy about this work?
Map Out Your Future
Our future may be more exciting than our current situation. You can leverage that to your advantage by using it as motivation to work harder.
Use each job you hold as a stepping stone towards your goal. Your current position serves a purpose, whether it is to build your resume, teach you skills, or help you save money to look for a new job.
To keep you highly motivated, set a deadline, and break your goals down into smaller, achievable tasks.