Debra Kasowski

Episode 33 – Develop an Attitude of Gratitude

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With Canadian Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought it would be most valuable to talk about developing an “attitude of gratitude”. Being grateful does the need to only occur Thanksgiving. When you start to recognize what you are grateful for the more you will discover to be grateful for. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” In today’s world, if you get caught up in the media hype of wars, accidents, and bombing, you may find it difficult to find things to be grateful for. However, what you focus on expands.

Developing an attitude of gratitude is not a one-time meditation, prayer, or mindfulness practice. It is about how you think and feel about life. Research studies show that people who develop a gratitude mindset have a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, and sleep better as well as feel more rested. These individuals tend to be more compassionate, more forgiving, and are less isolated because they are more outgoing. They tend to have a more optimistic view of life and find joy and pleasure in everything that they do.

TMW_PDFclickhere.fwGratitude shifts your focus. People who are problem focus tend to complain and blame others for faults in results rather than being the solution focused. When you are solution focused, you are able to come up with new ideas and solutions to challenging situations. During times of adversity, gratitude helps you realize that you would not be who you are without the situations and circumstances that have occurred both good and not so good. You are better able to bounce back and become more resilient in situations. When you develop a shift in focus and mindset, you also shift away from the victim mentality to one of the victor. You will shift from “I have to” do something versus “I get to” or “I choose to” do something. Gratitude is not a chore it’s a privilege.

Think about all the things you “get to” do that many others do not.

Small thank yous can make a big impact. You can make a big difference by acknowledging someone and thanking them for what they have done for you. The smallest thank you can be the most memorable. When people are recognized for the things that they do their confidence grows and they are more apt to believe in their abilities and stretch beyond the current capabilities. Their work takes on a greater purpose and they feel that they are making a difference. When people hear that their work is appreciated, they tend to be motivated to work harder to hear more praise and appreciation.

Keep a journal and write down what you are grateful for. By writing down what you are grateful for you can start paying attention to the thoughts that you have been having and take note of any patterns in your thoughts. Your thoughts and feelings impact the actions you will take. Epicurus stated, “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you have you only hoped for.” Start by writing down three things every day that you are grateful for and encourage others to do the same. Gratitude is contagious.

Write a letter and reach out to others who you are grateful for. By doing this you can change someone’s world. Several years ago I sent a card to a schoolteacher that I had, she sent me a thank you card back because the card had brought her to tears is no one in her years of teaching at centre thank you for the impact that she had made the difference.

It’s important to give gratitude but also important to learn how to accept it. When someone gives you a gift of a compliment or helps you in some way, acknowledge and thank them for it. Don’t brush it off by just saying oh it’s nothing because to them it was something.

At the end of the day, like attracts like, and people who are grateful are fun to be around and tend to be happier. Why not choose to be more grateful at home, in the workplace, in your business, or organization today? You never know whose life you can change it may be your own.

We would love to have you subscribed to the Success Secrets newsletter on my website at www.debrakasowski.com where you’re going to get us free MP3 download 10 Surefire Strategies to Power Up Your Productivity and Performance. I would love to hear about this podcast has impacted your life. E-mail me at Debra@DebraKasowski.com. Thank you for listening to The Millionaire Woman Show where we talk about leadership, business, and human potential to help you live rich from the inside out. Subscribe to The Millionaire Woman Show. Share it with Your Friends. Give us a 5-star rating!

DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free mp3 download today! www.debrakasowski.com

Time:  10:14 min

Keywords: develop an attitude of gratitude, attitude of gratitude, mindset, gratitude, grateful heart, accepting compliments, accept thank you, accept gratitude, journaling, gratitude journal, gratitude expands

What Does Gratitude Have to Do with Wealth Building?

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Seriously, what do gratitude and wealth building have in common? The answer is simple – everything.

You may have heard several theories about “vibration” or “energy” in reference to the Law of Attraction and wondered what in the world do they mean by attracting  “like energy”. I am sure you are imagining a magnet pulling you into a never land of fairy tales but it is indeed reality.

The power of wealth building begins in the practice of gratitude. Gratitude attracts wealth.

BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE

The practice of gratitude begins with being grateful for all the things you currently have – family, friends, experiences, and even material possessions. Wealth is much more than material things. It is the presence of having a life filled with happiness in being, doing, and having what you want in life. All too often, we fail to recognize our accomplishment because we are busy moving onto the next greatest or exciting item on our agendas. Much of our success has to do with the people around us who have helped us shift our perspective, challenged us to new heights, and helped us see or access resources to reach our goals. Success does not occur in a silo. I believe it is important to celebrate the people who supported you on your journey to where you are today. The scarcity mentality tends to takeover when people start to focus on their lack of abundance. Instead, they should be listing what they are grateful for.

I heard one woman complaining about how she disliked going to networking events because they made her nervous but at the same time, it was the networking that brought her the majority of her clients. Her business hit a plateau as she stopped going as frequently to her networking functions. She focused on what the networking events did not do for her versus what they did do for her.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.

If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
–Oprah Winfrey

APPRECIATE THOSE AROUND YOU

Make things happenYou may have heard the saying that “You are the average of the 5 people you hang around the most.” When you take time to appreciate others for who they are, you make them feel valued and appreciated. Recognize those who have made an impact in your life. From personal experience, I know it can change someone’s life. I sent a card to one of my teachers from long ago. There were many students who thought she was very strict but I saw her as someone who was disciplined and expected our very best. She ended up sending me a thank you card back stating that my card had brought her to tears. After all these years, someone had expressed appreciation and valued her for who she was and not what they thought she should be. How many people in our lives could use some unconditional appreciation?

People want to know that they were more than a transaction in your business world. They want to know that you have their best interest at heart. When express gratitude and appreciation, you can make a person feel like they are the most important person in the world. You can begin doing this by being full present and giving your time and attention to one person and finding out how you can serve them or support them in their personal journey. Guaranteed through consistent practice they will start referring people to you to do business with – people remember how you made them feel. There are businesses like SendOutCards that have been built by the prompting of expressing gratitude.(If you follow the link and do business, I may make a money. You do have the option to go to the site yourself.)

MEASURE WHAT YOU WANT MORE OF

You may think of money and finances when you hear of measuring what you want more of, however; the same holds true for expressing gratitude. Make a list of things you are grateful for or write out what you are grateful for in a journal.

SPEAK OF GRATITUDE WHEN YOU SHARE YOUR STORY

Complaining, blaming, or venting bring the tidal wave of negative energy so to speak. You may wonder why some people seem more abundant than others. The way you speak about yourself and others and your story tells a great deal about your character. I am not saying that everything needs to be sunshine, roses, and unicorns as I know that heartbreaking events can occur in life. Think about how you speak to others or about others. You may not think people are watching or paying attention to the was you act or do business. Guess what? They are paying attention and they do share what they see with others. Customers are attracted to the attitude of gratitude – someone who speaks with integrity and confidence about their vision.

You will attract others who are grateful and see abundance. Your network will expand and so will you network and the richness of the experience you have in your life.

How has gratitude impacted the wealth in your life?

“Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life.” — Christiane Northrup

How to Shift Your Mindset and Grow Your Business

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Are you wondering  why you have not been growing your business to the level you want? The problem often lies in a person’s mindset. The way you think about your talents, abilities, and skills have a great deal with the results you get. There are often words, phrases, or personal mantras that people say or think about themselves.

Do any of these questions resonate with you?

  • “I am not enough.”
  • “I am not deserving.”
  • “I am need to be more like them.”
  • “I cannot do that.”
  • “I have nothing to share.”
  • “I do not have enough time.”

Let cut to the chase and get the meaning of the statements into a new context. Negativity has no place in success! You are enough. You deserve the best life has to offer. Why? Because you are worth it. Just be yourself – that’s who the world is waiting for and there is only one of you. You have plenty to share – your experiences help others, your knowledge helps others, and your skills, abilities, and talents help others – share them. You can set aside time for the things you really want. Set your priorities and go after it is what you want.

A positive mindset that is focused on opportunity and possibilities is the solution to people’s problems. People will want to be around you because you set an example of hope and possibility of a better life. Growing your business has to do with changing habits and shifting your mindset to “I can do. I am enough. I am worth it. I will make the time to do what is important to me. I can learn a new skill. I can start sharing my talents with others.”

Take action toward what it is you want to achieve. Each step you take create a momentum that motivates you to continue.

Learn from any mistakes you make and you will be one step closer to learning what works and what doesn’t. Redefine your strategy along the way. Look for the opportunities that lie within.

Develop an attitude of gratitude. Your attitude towards life events and challenges is what inspires others. Be grateful for what makes your life great.

Get out there and let others know what you do. Your confidence is magnetic. People will want to know your secrets to success. Action takers get noticed and often look like overnight successes! You may be the next one!