Is Gratitude Important to success?

I am currently reading a book all about Gratitude. It has a simple title “Gratitude” however it shares several authors, all women and I suspect it was written with women as its prime audience. I am about three quarters of the way through and thoroughly enjoying every word of it. Each of them contributes to each chapter by taking look at different ways of applying gratitude and the difference it has made in their lives and by extension how it affects our lives and outcomes.

In all of their stories, built on their real life experiences there is the compelling theme that the degree of your gratitude determines the extent to which your life works for the best. Not surprisingly, reducing our level of gratitude seems to carry us in the opposite direction.

Even in the hard times, it is worthwhile seeking out some little thing to be grateful for. For it seems that this very act has a way of blossoming, bringing in some light and a more positive outlook that leads to a better outcome. Life begins to work again.

Throughout my business career I have made it a point to do my best to live with gratitude, not only in the good times, but also during the hard times. During my time as a sales trainer and currently as a marketing consultant, I have valued the virtues of gratitude and its contribution to success.

Gratitude is an extension of the golden rule and is governed by the law of cause and effect, meaning the more you give it out – the more you get an equivalent in return.

Gratitude, deeply felt and expressed has a magic quality of bringing more joy into your life and business activities. It contributes to and builds your self-worth. It generally increases your profit.

What a marvellous way to run a business! In fact nearly all of the great sales trainers and marketing and business consultants have expressed the need for gratitude in running any successful enterprise. They have encouraged the use of thank-you notes and cards and other means to actively convey your gratitude.

A study of the great men and women of business and society will reveal a deep level of gratitude in their lives and a desire to make it known.

So, Is Gratitude Important to success? I’ll let you be the judge.

Gratitude Can Change Your Life!

“If the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” – Meister Eckhart

Gratitude is thankfulness; it is a way of being, of counting your blessings and acknowledging all you receive. It comes down to living your life as if everything in it was a miracle, and being aware of just how much you’ve been given. Gratitude shifts your focus away from what is lacking in your life, to the abundance that is already at hand. Expressing your gratitude or giving thanks, strengthens relationships, improves health, reduces stress and makes people happier and far more resilient. It brings real joy into your business.

As business people we have a tendency to take things for granted and in particular good things. This little exercise may help you to notice and appreciate one of your most valuable assets: Imagine losing all of your customers. Then imagine getting them back, one by one. Now consider how grateful you are for each and every one of them.

Now that you have recognised each of them for the real value that they are to you, what are you going to do about it? One response would be to say that this was just a game and carry on as before, taking them and your relationship with them for granted, assuming that they will always be there. A better response would be to recognise their importance to your life.

Or, you might like to share your rediscovered joy at having them in your life and send them some sort of acknowledgement and appreciation for their real value in your life and business.

The more you become aware of things to be grateful for, the more enjoyment you will find along with greater appreciation in simple pleasures and things you just took for granted previously.

Gratitude should not just be used as a response when you’re getting what you want; it serves you best as an ‘all-the-time attitude and action.’ Living in gratitude is where you notice the little things and where you constantly look for the good, even in unpleasant situations. Today, right now, start bringing gratitude to all of your experiences, instead of waiting for good experiences in order to feel grateful. Do this and you’ll soon be making your way to becoming a ‘master of gratitude’ and having it change your life for the better.