Gratitude. I’m sure you have heard of this word before and you probably know that it simply means a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation. Gratitude may be a mouthful to pronounce but the act of showing it is actually rather simple and effective to implement. Knowing the power and potential of showing gratitude and subsequently applying it accordingly can be the single most decisive factor in ensuring better degrees of success for yourself.

What Gratitude Can Do for You

Let’s dwell a little on exactly what gratitude can do for you and subsequently your success. Gratitude instills a positive feeling in you and the people you show it to. It alters your perspective of negative feelings, thoughts or beliefs you may have of yourself or others by alerting these feelings, thoughts and beliefs to the things you are grateful for. Gratitude raises your awareness and focus and it can inspire you to achieve better for yourself and the people around you.

In fact, there are numerous other benefits of gratitude. Yet, many people still do not or refuse to shower themselves or the people around them with gratitude. Instead, they put themselves and others down by criticism and condemnation. To see if you fall under this category, take the next few seconds to ponder over the following questions:

1.  What exactly are the obstacles that are holding you back from showing gratitude to yourself and to others?
2. How can you overcome these obstacles?
3. How can you unleash an onslaught of gratitude to yourself and to others?

The obstacles you came up with above are probably mostly negative thoughts, emotions and beliefs that you may possess that are probably not only hindering you from showing gratitude but they are also holding you back from success. However, the main goal of this blog post is to show you the importance of showing gratitude and how you can go about doing it. I will not touch in depth about how to overcome these negative thoughts, emotions and beliefs. But there are many resources out there to help you with this. And you may even find some suggestions in some of my past blog posts.  

Showing Gratitude to Yourself

Now that you are clearer about the benefits of gratitude, let’s first talk about how you can start showing gratitude to yourself. To start doing this, you must first be appreciative of all your achievements - be it big or small - that you have experienced so far in your life. Ask yourself: when was the last time you actually rewarded yourself for those achievements? If you have constantly been doing so, then good for you and keep it up. If not, then it’s about time you start indulging or pampering yourself with some simple or extravagant (whichever is appropriate) rewards for all your past achievements and the future ones.

Next, be appreciative of the things you have - your job, work place, your health, your talents, your house, wealth, family, food and surroundings. Although it may seem challenging to directly demonstrate gratitude towards these aspects there are effective ways to cultivate appreciation. One such approach is by creating a list of these things and writing thank-you notes for each item, expressing your gratitude. By listing down these elements, you create a tangible reminder of their significance in your life. When you find yourself feeling sad or depressed, referring back to this list and reading the thank-you notes can have an immediate positive effect on your emotions. It serves as a reminder of the abundance and blessings you have, allowing you to shift your focus from negativity to gratitude.

Showing Gratitude to Others

Expressing gratitude to the people around you is a meaningful way to strengthen relationships, foster positivity, and create a sense of appreciation. While there are numerous ways to show gratitude, I will highlight a few simple yet important methods that you can easily implement. Feel free to explore additional ways that resonate with you and align with your relationships.

Verbal Appreciation 

One of the simplest and most effective ways to show gratitude is by expressing it verbally. Take the time to sincerely thank the people around you for their kindness, support, or any positive impact they have had on your life. This could be as simple as saying "thank you" or going into detail about how their actions have made a difference. Genuine words of appreciation can go a long way in brightening someone's day and strengthening your connection with them.

Handwritten Notes or Letters

In our digital age, a handwritten note or letter carries a unique and personal touch. Take the opportunity to write a heartfelt message expressing your gratitude to someone who has made a positive impact in your life. It could be a friend, family member, colleague, or mentor. Highlight specific actions or qualities that you appreciate about them and let them know how their presence has made a difference.

Acts of Kindness

Show your gratitude through acts of kindness. Small gestures such as offering to help with a task, running an errand, or surprising someone with a thoughtful gift can demonstrate your appreciation. These acts show that you value the person and their well-being, and they often create a positive ripple effect.

Quality Time and Active Listening

Spending quality time with the people around you and actively listening to them is another powerful way to show gratitude. Dedicate uninterrupted time to engage in meaningful conversations, listen attentively to their thoughts and concerns, and show genuine interest in their lives. By giving them your undivided attention, you communicate that their presence and perspectives matter to you.

Praise

Publicly recognizing and praising someone's accomplishments or positive qualities can be a great way to show gratitude. Whether it's in a team meeting, social gathering, or social media platform, publicly acknowledge and commend the efforts and contributions of the people you appreciate. This not only makes them feel valued but also inspires others to express gratitude and foster a culture of appreciation.

Showing gratitude to the people around you is an ongoing practice. By implementing these simple yet powerful methods, you can cultivate a culture of appreciation, strengthen your relationships, and create a positive and uplifting environment for yourself and those around you.

Remember 

Gratitude. The word may be a little complex to pronounce but there is actually nothing complex about performing the act of showing gratitude. Always bear in mind that when you show gratitude to yourself, the things and the people around you, you will definitely hold the key to unlocking your personal growth and ultimately your success.