Gratitude is a powerful tool for the empowering mindset transformation journey. The practice of gratitude complements other self-development strategies and provides immediate results. Shifting mindset to gratitude is an easy, natural process.
Most people think of gratitude and appreciation as passive expressions. However, gratitude is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it can become. We’ll learn about the eight steps of the gratitude attitude adjustment shortly.
How Gratitude Fosters a Positive Outlook
The practice of gratitude creates the foundation for a positive outlook in several ways.
Embracing thankfulness daily shifts our focus from negative to positive thinking. Instead of dwelling on problems or what is lacking, we open our minds to positive people, situations, and things. This starts a positive cascade, which then reduces stress and anxiety. When we practice gratitude, it reduces stress and anxiety by promoting a sense of well-being.
Expressing gratitude and appreciation strengthens relationships by acknowledging the contributions of others. It shows we value them, and this builds trust. Additionally, people who practice gratitude are resilient to the negative effects of the culture. They can see solutions and positive outcomes, even in challenging situations.
As we practice gratitude, we receive an immediate boost of happiness and contentment. These are important emotions for changing the focus and increasing the scope of our awareness and perception.
The Process of Shifting Mindset to Gratitude
We are born in a natural state of innocence and happiness. Our first bond is with our mother; this bond awakens our hearts and imprints a memory we can use as an anchor. The door to the heart’s memory is through gratitude.
When you make gratefulness a part of your routine, it sets the stage for the empowering mindset transformation journey. This tool becomes a foundation for growth and development. Appreciation and gratitude are words that have a profound effect on our mental state of mind and perception. Gratitude can transform your life by changing your attitude and perspective. Gratitude is an indispensable tool, whether you are beginning your spiritual quest or a seasoned explorer. (1)
Learning how gratitude fosters a positive outlook gives a foundation for how it’s done. Let’s look at the benefits.
Benefits of The Gratitude Attitude Adjustment
Here are some key reasons for shifting mindset to gratitude and appreciation. These are compelling reasons for this empowering mindset transformation journey:
1. Helps to maintain mental health by reducing feelings of depression and anxiety. Gratitude shifts your focus from negative to positive.
2. Expressing appreciation strengthens relationships. Acknowledging the value of other people enhances trust and connection.
3. Gratitude improves physical health because it helps us value ourselves. Shifting mindset to gratitude and appreciation encourages self-care, exercise, and healthy eating.
4. Increases resilience as gratitude helps us cope with stress by promoting a positive outlook.
5. Greater Happiness is an immediate effect of practicing gratitude.
6. Embracing thankfulness daily improves sleep. You sleep better because you long have a more positive outlook before going to bed.
7. Boosts self-work and self-perception by reducing social comparisons. It helps us appreciate our efforts and achievements.
We can turn a passive, ineffective ritual into a powerful force. We need to integrate gratitude into our routine and add focus and purpose. If you do this, it will become a tool of transformation. The things we need to do are simple.
To make gratitude powerful, you must do three things. First, use your habitual nature to create a positive habit. Second, give the new habit attention and focus. Third, execute it with purpose—with the goal in mind. When we do this, we are leveraging the power of the mind for the mindset transformation journey.
Let’s review the things you need to do and then show you how to turn them into positive behaviors. Once you learn how to do this, it will only take three minutes a day to transform your attitude and perspective.
Tactics of the Gratitude Attitude Adjustment
1. Embracing Thankfulness Daily to Shift Focus
One of the most powerful things you can do is start your day with gratitude. Just a few moments of focus on one or two positive things creates a positive mindset. Do this first thing in the morning. It sets the tone for the whole day. Yes, during a crisis like a pandemic, this isn’t easy. Sometimes, it is difficult to find one thing you are grateful for (2).
Gratitude gives you a positive mindset, which helps you make better decisions. See your life as a beautiful expression, no matter the circumstances. It may take some imagination, but you can do it.
Be grateful for what you already have while you pursue your goals.
If you aren’t grateful for what you already have, what makes you think you would be happy with more? ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
It is important to remember that gratitude is the memory of the heart. The heart is where we store the precious memories that make up the fabric of our lives. When we learn to magnify, the beautiful moments set the tone for how we conduct our lives in the present. Embracing thankfulness daily is a powerful gratitude attitude adjustment. Shifting mindset to gratitude magnifies positive memories. A positive outlook gives us the strength to face challenges. Gratitude can change everything.
2. Speak Words of Gratitude Out Loud
Don’t just think the words; speak them out loud. There is something about voicing positive comments that makes it more potent than thought. All the great sages and mythologies of creation tell us that words created the universe.
Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint. I can choose to be grateful when I am criticized, even when my heart still responds with bitterness. And I can choose to speak about goodness and beauty, even when my inner eye still looks for someone to accuse or something to call ugly. I can choose to listen to the voices that forgive and to look at the faces that smile, even while I still hear words of revenge and see grimaces of hatred. ― Henry J.M. Nouwen, Return of the Prodigal Son
Affirmations are one key to the law of attraction. They help in empowering mindset transformation. You receive back the positivity that you speak into the universe.
Be grateful for what you have now. As you begin to think about all the things in your life you are grateful for, you will be amazed at the never-ending thoughts that come back to you of more things to be grateful for. You have to start, and then the law of attraction will receive those grateful thoughts and give you more, just like them. ― Rhonda Byrne, The Secret
3. Share Gratitude to Encourage Others
It is difficult to be cynical when you talk about beneficial things. Sharing the things you appreciate will encourage others. You help yourself and the other person in this exchange. You can bet they will be glad to see you again.
Everyone enjoys being acknowledged and appreciated. Sometimes even the simplest act of gratitude can change someone’s entire day. Take the time to recognize and value the people around you and appreciate those who make a difference in your lives. ― Roy T. Bennett
Mr. Bennett highlights an important point. Your appreciation of the smallest things is all that is necessary. If you are having a major problem, this is when you need this the most. It’s also the least likely time you will look for things that make life better.
Learn a strategy that you will use whenever you are in pain. Take a long, deep breath and find one thing that fills you with gratitude. It may be simple, like “being alive.” Even when life isn’t joyful, you at least have consciousness in the present.
Here’s the secret formula for getting the most out of life. Gratitude is the memory of the heart. When we practice it, gratitude can change everything.
4. Do Things that Make You Happy
Do the things that make you happy and that make you grateful. Even the tiniest things can boost your attitude. Make gratitude and embracing thankfulness fun! Doing something that brings you happiness gives you a profound sense of gratitude.
Do things that make you happy within the confines of the legal system.
― Ellen DeGeneres, Seriously, I’m Kidding
5. Spend Time with those who Help You Feel Good
The pandemic makes face-to-face risky, but thankfully, we have various video conference options. And, if nothing else, make a phone call.
We are social beings, and our friends give us support and encouragement. Support gives us hope for a better future.
Surround yourself with people who make you happy. People who make you laugh, who help you when you’re in need. People who genuinely care. They are the ones worth keeping in your life. Everyone else is just passing through. ― Karl Marx
6. Declutter and Give Away
When you donate to help others, you feel good about yourself. It gives others something they can be grateful to receive. Decluttering provides space, and space is freedom. It is the spiritual law of ebb and flow, the liberty of surrender.
Helping others expands your heart and conscience, a much-needed commodity in this world. Share how gratitude fosters a positive outlook. Everyone needs this knowledge.
When you come across something that you cannot part with, think carefully about its true purpose in your life. You’ll be surprised at how many of the things you possess have already fulfilled their role. By acknowledging their contribution and letting them go with gratitude, you will be able to truly put the things you own, and your life, in order. In the end, all that will remain are the things that you really treasure. To truly cherish the things that are important to you, you must first discard those that have outlived their purpose. ― Marie Kondo, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
7. Stop Ruminating on Negativity
Taking a break from problem-solving is often the best way to allow your subconscious to generate creative solutions. Worrying is using your imagination to cause yourself harm.
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for. ― Epicurus
8. Do Difficult Things First
Some people refer to this as eating the frog. Do the hardest thing on your to-do list first. This way, you are rested and ready. When you do the hard things first, you take a weight off your shoulders. You can start the day with a celebration when you tackle them.
If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to-do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first. ― Nicolas Chamfort
Tools for Empowering Mindset Transformation Journey
Gratitude is one of the nine virtues of the spirit. Some teachers refer to these virtues as the “soul path.” Another way of saying gratitude is the memory of the heart.
These virtues express the human spirit’s highest values. Opening these virtues is the key to balancing our psyche. They are not just philosophical principles but fundamental elements of psychic structure.
Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. ― William Arthur Ward
The path to these virtues can be found using tools of the inner quest. We categorize them into four major groups:
— Analytical Thinking Tools
— All forms of Meditation
— Tools and Techniques to Increase Awareness
— Ancient Healing Practices
When we channel these virtues, we empower the highest values. To find them, we must embark on our inner quest. You begin the journey of your soul path when you learn that the spiritual truths you seek are in your soul.
Your soul path is revealed when you open the virtues of the spirit. These are Gratitude, Love, Appreciation, Serenity, Joyfulness, Happiness, Thankfulness, Blissfulness, and Mindfulness. With these tools, we do not conquer not the world, instead we conquer ourselves. And so then the world does not need to be conquered. — Guru Tua
Gratitude is often seen as the first of these virtues because it provides a universal perspective. This doorway is essential for the type five personality of the Enneagram. It is through gratitude that we let go of negative feelings.
A fundamental principle of Buddhism is learning to let go. It’s difficult to do because our memory likes to bring up past failures and pain. Non-attachment is letting go. Even if you aren’t a type five, you can still access this quality through the exercises above. Learning to channel gratitude and let go is especially helpful if you are a type five.
Truth is not to be found outside. No teacher, no scripture can give it to you. It is inside you and if you wish to attain it, seek your own company. Be with yourself, — Osho
In Conclusion
Learning how gratitude fosters a positive outlook is the first step. But you must put this knowledge into action for it to be effective. The most important thing is embracing thankfulness daily to create a routine practice. Shifting mindsets to gratitude changes your attitude and thinking immediately.
References
(1) How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain: greatergood.berkeley.edu
(2) Giving thanks can make you happier: health.harvard.edu