An Attitude of Gratitude

By ASCP Staff

None of us want to think we take things in our lives for granted. We all like to think we are grateful for what we have. But then, real life comes crashing in. You wake up to a freezing home because your furnace quit working. You’re running late and your car won’t start. You have a full schedule booked with facials, microdermabrasion, and waxing appointments with no time for breakfast, and you notice your first client is the one who always complains about your prices for her facial and never fails to ask you for a discount. On days like this, it’s difficult to remain in an attitude of gratitude. Developing an attitude of gratitude requires a mindset shift to make it a daily habit, no matter how tumultuous your day may begin.

When you practice gratitude, everything in your life will improve, from personal relationships and health to the skin care services you provide and your sense of inner peace. You will feel more positive and more present in the moment. It’s a conscious habit to be grateful for every aspect of your life, both the things that are going well and the things that aren’t.

Maybe you have been looking for something to replenish your motivation and inspiration. If you’ve reached for a self-help book, you’ll notice it likely agrees that gratitude is capable of improving everything from self-esteem and depression to business metrics and branding. To find the root of happiness, gratitude is essential.

Gratitude is a noun, not just some overexaggerated adjective. Gratitude is dependent on no one but you. If you find yourself feeling uninspired, unmotivated, or defeated, look for one thing—just one thing—to be grateful for. It requires minimal effort with abundant reward.

The more time you spend focusing on the things you’re grateful for, the less time you’ll have to focus on negativity. Grateful people have more empathy and patience, self-esteem, mental strength, and resilience. Neuroscience has proven that it is impossible for the human brain to experience gratitude and fear at the same time. It is literally impossible to be afraid if you’re feeling gratitude. If that’s not enough to motivate you, people who practice gratitude have fewer aches and pains and even sleep better. (For more, check out www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/2015....)

With the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner, it is an easier time to live in gratitude. It’s easy to feel thankful when you smell the turkey roasting in the oven and your pumpkin pies turned out beautifully. Your loved ones are gathered around, and it is obvious how much you have to be grateful for. Life is good. But what about the wonderful things we take for granted every day? Being able to get out of bed in the morning and walk to the kitchen to make breakfast. The smell of freshly baked croissant rolls or the blooming lilac bush by your window. The ability to see a beautiful sunrise or your spouse’s smile. The touch of your kitten’s soft fur. The taste of your favorite pumpkin spice latte. Not to mention your amazing clients who love you and look forward to spending time with you during their skin care services. You don’t have to be in the midst of a fantastic season to practice gratitude. Sure, Thanksgiving is a time in which feeling grateful is easier, but it’s a gift that gives even in the darkest times when exercised. Gratitude can pull you through life’s bleakest moments. Think about it. In the darkest, absolute worst moment, there’s not always something to be happy about—but there’s always something to be grateful for. Focusing on gratitude is the only way to move forward through life’s valleys toward a place in which you can feel happy again.

Take just a minute to look at your surroundings and name at least one thing you’re grateful for. It could be that one of your favorite clients just walked in for their appointment with a smile and warm greeting, maybe it’s an unexpected card from a dear friend who recently moved out of state, or even hearing your favorite song on the way to the spa. It can be anything. Let that thing, let all the things you’re grateful for, inspire you. When your passion for life is waning, practice gratitude.

Here are five ways you can develop an attitude of gratitude:

Appreciate Everything

By being mindful of appreciating everything, you will have far more gratitude in your life which increases positivity and happiness. Being a positive, grateful person attracts other people into your life who have a similar mindset.

Express Gratitude Every Day

By acknowledging what you’re thankful for or appreciate every day, it will set up your day to be thankful.  A great idea is to journal three things each morning and each evening that you’re grateful for. Expressing gratitude daily builds positive habits and forces you to appreciate every day, even if you’ve had a bad day.

Surround Yourself with Gratitude-Focused People

Being around “Debbie Downer” too often makes it much more likely you will end up with negative feelings. When you surround yourself with people who practice gratitude, your gratitude and appreciation grow. You feel happier, more positive, and more energized when you spend more time in a positive environment.

Live in the Present

When you are grateful for your present situation, you can reframe how you think about what’s important right now. This will help you get clear on the future you want to create. When you live in the present, you focus on the achievements and the progress you’ve made in your life. A positive mindset reframes negative thoughts and builds confidence from past accomplishments.

A Gratitude Practice Commitment

When you commit to a daily gratitude practice, it will help you appreciate things that matter, and gain more insight into what’s important to you. This gives you a chance to pause and think about your purpose. It will help you get clear on why certain things are important to you, and what people are valuable to you. You also get to see the positive effect your gratitude has on others.

When you develop a gratitude habit, it will change your life.  An attitude of gratitude also ensures you feel happier, more positive, and more excited. What more could you ask for?