Change your outlook – Change your productivity
Post #2 in a Series: Three Gratitudes
In his TED Talk, The Happiness Advantage, Shawn Achor identified five research-based practices shown to increase happiness and productivity when built into your daily routine.
Creating Lasting Positive Change
- Three Gratitudes
- Journaling
- Exercise
- Meditation
- Random Acts of Kindness
Today, we will focus on gratitude. If you would like to revisit the introduction to this series, click here.
“Reflect on your present blessings, on which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” – Charles Dickens
In America, we’re taught what it means to be grateful at a young age. Every November grade-school children wear Indian feathers and Pilgrim hats made from construction paper and act out the first Thanksgiving. In preparation for this annual feast, we pause to count our blessings, if just for one day.
We know we’re supposed to be grateful. We’re told so. Gratitude is a trait of a good person. One day of gratefulness, however, is not enough to create lasting positive change.
In their research entitled, Counting Blessings Versus Burdens, Emmons and McCullough concluded that practicing gratitude daily for 21 consecutive days produces individuals who are:
- more satisfied with their lives,
- more optimistic about the coming week,
- better connected with others.
Perhaps even more significant, those who practice daily gratitude report:
- getting more sleep,
- feeling more refreshed in the morning.
Focusing on what’s going well, as opposed to what is not, is actually good for you.
Watch, as Shawn Achor discusses the relationship between practicing gratitude and personal performance.
Taking Action (1) – Three Gratitudes
The following video further illustrates the point. (You may need a tissue …)
The Science of Happiness – An Experiment in Gratitude
Blow your nose. I’ll wait.
Convinced to give it a try? I am! Download a copy of the Happiness Advantage tracking sheet. Log 21 consecutive days of acknowledging three things for which you are grateful.
If you feel so compelled, I urge you to share your appreciation with others, as the participants did in the video. Call or write.
I designed gratitude stationery for you to use so you don’t have to worry about blubbering all over your loved ones.
Pop a note in the mail or leave one where the intended recipient will find it.
You’re such a ray of sunshine!
Wherever you are in your journey to create positive change, I’m cheering for you!
There will be four more posts in this series, each one featuring one of Shawn Achor’s elements proven to change your outlook and your productivity. Look for a post on journaling next. Make sure you subscribe to my newsletter. You will not want to miss a post in this series.
If you liked this post, you may enjoy these, as well.
You are right, I did need a tissue.
I downloaded the stationery, and I am looking forward to putting it to good use. This is a great first step on my Lenten journey towards Easter.
Thank you!
You’re welcome! You can also download a free gratitude card on Amy’s Strong Beginning site. http://www.strongbeginning.com/spreading-joy-through-gratitude-cards/ Have fun!