Episode #188- Top 5 Benefits of Practicing Gratitude-REBOOT #150

The other thing we tend to do is we think about the coming year , what we want to accomplish , changes we feel we need to make , what we're going to do differently in the future , because we certainly aren't where we thought we'd be at this point . And then we practice that soul-crunching exercise of comparison right ?

Well , here's a little game-changing tip Comparing yourself to others is always and I mean always a lose-lose situation and should be avoided at all costs lose-lose situation and should be avoided at all costs .

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Well , once again , here we are , at that time of year when we start hearing and using words more often like thankful or gratitude or donations , right as we sit down with family and friends at the dinner table for a Thanksgiving feast and share some of the things we're grateful for this year maybe a few of the good things that happened or a few things that went

our way . But when you actually think about it , it's really kind of sad that we only do this once a year , isn't it ? I mean , we have things to be grateful or thankful for on a daily basis , but most of us don't talk about it , celebrate it or even consider it until mid-November .

This week I wanted to reshare a message from last holiday season that details the massive and undeniable benefits of practicing gratitude , not only at this time of year , but on a daily basis throughout the year . So let's go back to Thanksgiving last year , episode 150 , top five benefits of practicing gratitude .

As we all start to wind down our latest trip around the sun and head towards the holiday season , even though for many it can be a very stressful time of year , we still tend to look forward to the festivities ahead , maybe a few extra days off work , spending some time with the family and a much-needed break .

One of the two things we tend to do is reflect back on the year and assess how it went . Was it a great year ? I mean , was income up , you know , family good , everybody's in good health , maybe had some great moments or hit some milestone , or maybe it was just an okay year , nothing really notable , same old , same old , you know ?

Or was it more like thank God , this year's over , what a train wreck , good riddance . The perception of how your year was is more based on your current mindset than the actual reality of the performance of the past year , but I'll circle back to that point in a bit .

The other thing we tend to do is we think about the coming year , what we want to accomplish , changes we feel we need to make , what we're going to do differently in the future , because we certainly aren't where we thought we'd be at this point . And then we practice that soul-crunching exercise of comparison .

Right , all of our neighbors got new cars this year and we didn't . Bob at work got a big promotion , but I got passed over again this year . How's that fair ? So-and-so's kid just graduated college with a master's and my kid dropped out of community college , and the list goes on and on , right ?

Well , here's a little game-changing tip Comparing yourself to others is always and I mean always a lose-lose situation and should be avoided at all costs . Yes , you may be doing a little bit better than one of your neighbors , but if you cast a wider net , you'll probably find plenty of people that appear to have it all dialed in , even though they don't .

It will ultimately leave you feeling less than Best . Advice is only compare you to the version of you that you were yesterday , because that's all that really matters .

But the one thing we don't do , and the thing I want to talk about today , is we rarely take the time to stop and practice a little gratitude for what we do have , what we have accomplished , what blessings we have experienced , the things that truly matter in our lives .

Nope , we only seem to focus on what we lack , what we missed out , on , what others have that we don't , instead of really focusing on the most important things .

Now , if I asked you to write a list of all the things that you missed out on , negatively affected you hurt , you , pissed you off , all the things 2023 screwed you over on , I bet you could write one hell of a long list , right ? Well , it's very easy to see and feel all the wrongs and the losses in life .

Our brains are just kind of wired to focus on the negative things that hurt us Without purposely changing our thinking . It just comes naturally . But you do not have to continue to think and live this way . One simple change that everyone can do is practicing gratitude .

Scientists have proven over and over that practicing gratitude can improve your life in many ways . Want to be 10 to 20% happier ? Practice gratitude daily . Research has shown that consistently practicing gratitude can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety .

In fact , studies have found that a single act of thoughtful gratitude produces an immediate 10% increase in happiness and a 35% reduction in depressive symptoms . These effects disappear within three to six months , which reminds us to practice gratitude over and over daily .

You probably didn't know this , but it is a fact that it's physically impossible to be angry or negative while you're practicing gratitude . Pretty cool , huh . So what's the true meaning of gratitude anyways ? Now , although I can find multiple definitions of gratitude , this is the simplest version I found .

Gratitude is when you feel thankful for the good things in your life . This could be stuff people often take for granted , like having a place to live , having food , clean water , friends and family . Gratitude is taking a moment to reflect on how lucky you are when something good happens , whether it's big or small .

Or , as Zig Ziglar quotes , gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions . The more you express gratitude for what you have , the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for Now .

Here's just a quick handful of the benefits of practicing gratitude , like improved physical health , improved psychological health , it enhances empathy and reduces aggression , it improves sleep , it improves self-esteem , it opens the door to more positive relationships and it releases us from toxic emotions .

So today I want to share with you the top five benefits of practicing gratitude .

Have you ever looked in the mirror and said to yourself how come I'm not further along than this ? Or why can't I ever seem to get ahead ? Are you frustrated with life , unsure of your future , wanting to make a change in your current situation , but too scared to make that next move ?

Maybe you want to reach that next level in life or in your business , but not sure what the right move is . Or maybe you feel the best thing to do is nothing at all .

Many of you may not know but , along with hosting my own weekly podcast , I'm a personal development mindset , business and life coach where I focus on helping people with self-development mindset and how to make positive changes in their lives .

And trust me , with all the negativity we've had to deal with these past two years , I think we all need some positivity , a positive change and a fresh approach to our life or our business . Sometimes talking to the right person can make all the difference . If you really want to start making those changes in your life , take action right now .

Reach out and email , text , call or direct message me as soon as possible . Do it right now . I'll set you up with a free consultation call and pre-qualify you for either the one-on-one or business coaching that you really need to get your life or your business on the right track to success . Appointments are available right now . 1 . Improved Mental Health .

Gratitude has been linked to enhanced mental health . Regularly expressing thanks for positive aspects of your life can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety . It fosters a positive mindset , helping you focus on what's going well rather than dwelling on negativity . Number two enhanced emotional well-being .

Gratitude is associated with increased feelings of happiness and life satisfaction . When you consciously acknowledge and appreciate the good things in your life , it can create a sense of fulfillment and contentment . A positive emotional state can contribute to overall well-being . Number three stress reduction . Practicing gratitude has been shown to lower stress levels .

By focusing on what you're thankful for , you shift your attention away from the stressors and the challenges of life . This shift in perspective can help you manage stress more effectively and build resilience in the face of difficulties . Number four better relationships . Everybody wants those right .

Well , expressing gratitude can strengthen social bonds and improve relationships . When you acknowledge and appreciate the positive actions of other people , it fosters a sense of connection and mutual understanding . Gratitude can even enhance communication and contribute to the building of positive , supportive relationships . 5 . Physical Health Benefits and there's a lot of these .

Gratitude has been linked to many physical health benefits . Studies have shown that people who regularly practice gratitude may experience improved sleep , lowered blood pressure and a strengthened immune system . The positive impact on mental well-being can also indirectly influence physical health .

Incorporating a daily gratitude practice , such as maybe keeping a gratitude journal or simply just reflecting on what you're thankful for , can be a simple yet powerful way to reap the benefits and promote a more positive and fulfilling life . For the average American business owner , incorporating a daily gratitude practice can offer several tangible benefits .

Firstly , by cultivating a positive mindset through gratitude , business owners can find themselves better equipped to handle the challenges and uncertainties and problems that come with entrepreneurship . Improved mental health can contribute to better decision-making and more resilient approach to business setbacks .

Secondly , the positive emotional well-being associated with gratitude can translate into increased job satisfaction and overall happiness . This positivity can also have a ripple effect within your workplace , fostering a more collaborative and supportive company culture . Furthermore , stress reduction is critical in this fast-paced world of business .

Gratitude practices can help business owners manage stress more effectively , potentially enhancing their ability to navigate high-pressure situations and make great business decisions . Building and maintaining strong relationships are vital in business .

Expressing gratitude towards employees , partners , vendors and clients can strengthen these connections , leading to increased loyalty , improved teamwork and enhanced client satisfaction . Now here's a few things that most people don't realize , but can really put things into perspective for you .

So if you look at your life from a perspective of your finances , keep this in mind If you have just $4,200 to your name , you're richer than 50% of the world's residents . Shocking , isn't it ?

If you have a net worth of $138,000 , you are in the top 10% of global wealth , and if you have a net worth of $1.1 million just $1.1 million you are in the top 1% of global wealth . Pretty incredible when you really think about it . Like I mentioned earlier , your current mindset has a great influence on your perception of how you believe your year was .

Having a negative or fixed mindset will only see the shortcomings or lack in your year , but a positive or growth mindset , sees the progress you made , the wins you had , and allows you to look at the big picture when you sit from a global view and appreciate or be thankful for what you do have . So what are some things to be grateful for ?

Well , here's a couple ideas your family , if you have any at all . Your health , even if it's just partial health . A job , home or shelter . Food , did you know ? Speaking of food , did you know , that the average American throws away about two pounds of food every day ? That's , every single American throws away about two pounds of food .

That two pounds of food would feed a whole family in some of the poorest countries . For a day . Let that one sink in . I think I read as a global food industry , we throw away or waste 40% of all the food produced in the world . Isn't that incredible ? 40% that's damn near half the food that we manage to produce , ends up in the garbage .

Crazy Warm clothes how about anybody that cares for you ? If you have anybody in your life that cares for you , that's something to be thankful for .

Freedom this may only apply to countries like the US , but the ability to choose your own thoughts , the power to change your life for the better at any given moment , maybe having all your senses , like the smell you know smell of something good , or being able to enjoy the sound of great music or the sight of nature's beauty , like a sunrise or sunset .

Listen , sometimes it's really tough to try to look through a positive lens . I get it . You may have situations that seem unfair and think that life has screwed you over again , but many of us , like you , have had the same or worse .

And how you look at it , which means your perspective or the set of lenses you look through , and how you respond , makes all the difference in the world . You can begin to practice gratitude by thinking of what you're thankful for , like family and friends or your home or a beautiful sunny day , rather than being consumed by what's going wrong .

Writing these things down and saying them out loud can even help you stay positive during difficult times . Another important aspect of practicing gratitude is celebrating small victories . We often get caught up in celebrating large accomplishments , like starting a new job or getting married or buying a house or something like that .

But while these things are certainly big and should be celebrated , it's equally important to celebrate the small moments of life . Sometimes , simply getting out of bed on a tough day can be a cause for celebration , right , but more often our daily lives are full of distractions and stress and we let our small achievements go unnoticed , even internally .

Think about the past few days . What have you accomplished that went unnoticed ? Did you make an awesome meal , or do something good for somebody , or started a new book or , you know , have a conversation with somebody you haven't talked to in a while ? Take a moment now to celebrate that , to express gratitude .

Perhaps you might write it down in a journal or just say it out loud . When you're looking at the problems you have in life , there's always a nice alternative you can think about that makes you feel a little bit better about it , just by simply expressing a little gratitude . Like you've lost your job .

You've lost some money , but you still have the ability to find another job or more fulfilling work . You may have lost some business , but you still have the ability and the knowledge to start a new business . There's a lot of internet-based options now available that never were there before .

Maybe you lost some family or lost a friend Now , while that's difficult , I get it , but you still may have some remaining family members or some remaining friends that care about you . You might have lost some freedoms , but you still have the ability to adapt , to change , maybe to pivot and adjust to a different life .

Maybe you have poor health , but you always have the ability to make some positive lifestyle changes . Listen , I'm talking from personal experience here on this subject .

I was absolutely one of those maybe just like you that always looked at life from a perspective of lack , what I missed out , on , what didn't go right , what others around me seemed to have that I didn't .

I often felt unsatisfied , but I'm telling you , once I learned about the benefits of this practice of gratitude from someone else , I started implementing it into my own life and experienced a massive change in my satisfaction with my life , as well as the results I was seeing .

I've been practicing gratitude almost daily for the past three years and have made it a commitment to continue this every single day . Now I can assure you you can do this as well . It only takes a few minutes every morning , or any time during the day , really , but I prefer the morning .

You can do this before you even get out of bed , while you're just laying there .

You can do it in the shower while shaving or putting makeup on or getting dressed or driving to work , but doing it in the morning is best , because now you've set your whole day on a better course , right , write it down or , better yet , say it out loud to yourself , doesn't matter where or when . Just be consistent and do it every day .

You absolutely have nothing to lose , except for maybe some anger , some frustration , maybe some bitterness or sadness , and it'll make an amazing positive difference in your life and the life of those around you , I promise .

Well , that's all I have for you today . I sincerely hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with those that mean the most to you . Take the time to express a little gratitude for what's good in your life , share it with your loved ones and take note of how that makes you feel . Thanks again for tuning in .

I really appreciate your support and I hope you have a great week . I can always be reached at wwwrickselovercom , where you can find all my social media links podcast episodes , blog posts and much more . Outro Music .