What’s Next? Step 2 to Living in Gratitude

By now you should have a notebook or journal and you should be writing down three to five things in it every night that you are thankful for. If you want to ramp up your gratitude experience here is what to do next.

First, keep writing in the gratitude journal. I know it has been said that a habit is formed in 21 days but in order for something to be habitual you need to practice it 60 days. For me, it is closer to three months. If I don’t do something consistently for at least 90 days then the habit isn’t ingrained.

Second, every single day you must acknowledge someone with appreciation. It can be the grocery store clerk, your letter carrier, your spouse, your coworker, anyone you come across.

Here are a few choices:

Look the person in the eye and say “Thank you, for…” I want this to be more than a generic “Thank you.” I want you to be specific. “Thank you for your excellent service,” or “Thank you for doing the dishes.”

You can tell someone you appreciate them. Tell your co-worker, “I really appreciate working with you and how you make me laugh every day.” Or tell the barista where you get your coffee, “I know your job gets very busy and I just want to acknowledge how much I appreciate you always being courteous with me.”

You can write a thank you note or email to someone. It doesn’t have to be more than a few lines. But be sincere.

This will get you in the habit of being thankful for other people in your life and will become another way you are thinking positively. Instead of criticizing others or being frustrated at being in a long line you can take the time to figure out something to appreciate another person for.

An easy one for me to do is to say to a parent, “I sure appreciate how hard being a parent is. It certainly looks like you are doing a great job.” There are moms and dads who desperately need to hear that and it may be the ones whose children are crying or screaming who need to hear it the most.

Take time to appreciate the UPS or Fedex driver who works long hours to make sure you get your packages.

Take time to appreciate the teacher at school or the janitor who usually goes unnoticed. Take time to appreciate the busboy or waitress at the restaurant. I know, they get tips, but sometimes they need to hear a good word.

Just make sure you appreciate someone every day. You may think you are doing it for them but let me tell you, you will be benefiting more than they do.