We all have a variety of attitudes in our “tude” arsenal. Our ability to project a “good” or a “bad” version of ourselves on any given day depends on so many variables in our lives. Under stress, feeling successful, having a setback, or celebrating a win? All of these variables impact us and all reflect back on our attitude and on our overall energy level. There is only one “tude” that can help us to balance all of the others. That “tude” is gratitude.

When we are feeling grateful, we have access to every other attitude possible!

That is because gratitude focuses us on being thankful and in better understanding that life will always have a mix of successes and fails and ups and downs. When we can take ownership of and acknowledge all aspects of our lives we create the basis to better understand all the working parts of each day and to factor them into our tomorrows.

Here are some gratitude DO’s:

Say thank you! Sounds simple but we don’t always do that. Especially with the people we are closest to. We think that they somehow know how we feel and that we appreciate them. Appreciation is not to be underestimated in setting the tone for any relationship.

Do: Be your own best friend! “You” are your single longest relationship. Celebrate that by prioritizing your needs in a consistent and realistic way. Schedule yourself first and keep that date. You are your own biggest investment, one that you will have all of your life. Invest wisely.

Do: Say YES not but! Yes and…is a magical combination that shifts the tone of what you are saying in such a way that opportunities outweigh any obstacles. Turn your negative talk into positive action by losing the “but” and with it your excuses.

Do: Create a simple mental journal. Every night before you go to sleep review the day. Name 3 things that you are happy about or that went well in your day. Now, how can you tweak these 3 things further tomorrow? When we lean into the things we do well, our successes create traction in which to expand upon the things that need more work and attention.

Do: Ask what you can do right NOW? Then do it. We all have lofty goals and plans. What we lack is the ability to take action on them. Want to exercise more? Before you join the gym and enter the race, buy the sneakers. Start small and celebrate every step toward a goal. Celebration and gratitude go hand-in-hand. Step by step…because these are your dancing sneakers, the ones that you will be grateful took you one step closer to the gym! Start. Now. Buy the sneakers!

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