While many of us dream of living in a luxury condo in Manhattan, having a beach house in Malibu, or rolling up to work in a Porsche every morning, even those of us without a multi-million-dollar home or the latest gadgets at our disposal still have plenty to be grateful for. In fact, even if you’re not living the high life, writing down the things you’re grateful for in a gratitude journal, from your circle of friends to your good health, can make a huge difference in how you view yourself and the world at large. When you practice gratitude, you’ll find that the world opens up to you, making every day look a little brighter than the last one. Here’s why:

“Maintaining a humble and

grateful attitude can make a world

of difference in your personal

and professional lives.”

It improves your mood

Going through life feeling like the world has slighted you time and time again can make anyone feel angry or resentful. However, keeping a journal of gratitude can change that in no time at all. Glancing at all the concrete examples of things you’ve got going for you that you’ve written down in your gratitude journal can make you feel happier and more at peace on those days when it feels like everything is going wrong.

It helps you organize your goals

While knowing what your goals are is a good start, writing them down is the first step when you want to actually achieve them. Keeping a gratitude journal gives you space to organize your thoughts, ensuring that all those wonderful things you want to accomplish (and the ways in which gratitude will help you achieve them) are at the forefront of your mind. In fact, a study conducted at the Dominican University of California reveals that people who write down their goals are significantly more likely to achieve them.

It makes you more productive

It makes you more productive: The first step toward a more productive life is gratitude. When you’re practicing daily meditations on gratitude, like writing in a gratitude journal it helps ungrateful thoughts from occupying your mind. Take just five minutes a day to write down the things you’re grateful for and you might just find yourself feeling more productive for it. Or challenge yourself even further by participating in a free 30 Day Gratitude Challenge filled with daily writing prompts.

It makes people want to be near you

Nobody likes to be around a person who’s constantly complaining about all the things they don’t have. Luckily, actively practicing gratitude through keeping a gratitude journal will make your happiness and joie de vivre so infectious that people won’t be able to get enough of you. Fortunately, this is a self-fulfilling prophesy: as your social circle expands, you’ll have even more to be grateful for.

It helps put things in perspective

While it’s easy to think about all the things you don’t have, when you start thinking about the ones you do have, it will put your whole life into perspective in no time. Instead of bemoaning the lack of material goods or romantic relationships or opportunities presenting themselves to you, reminding yourself of all the good in your life can help you see the world with fresh eyes.
Maintaining a humble and grateful attitude can make a world of difference in your personal and professional lives. Start keeping track of all the things you have to be grateful for in a gratitude journal today and you’ll be amazed at just how wonderful your life already is.
Guest Post by Candice Schaffer

Have you started a gratitude practice or used a gratitude journal?
What are your grateful for?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.

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