Yesterday, in the United States, many of us celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday, a time dedicated to giving thanks and expressing gratitude for the fortune and favor we experience and sometimes even take for granted. It is a day for giving thanks.

But it’s just one day. 

As we begin the quick slide toward our impending end-of-year festivities, I’d like to morph this notion of a one-day thanks-giving into a daily practice of thanks-living.

THANKS-LIVING! 
How would you respond to the following? When was the last time you… 

  • turned up the music in your car or house and belted lyrics like you were Jon Bon Jovi, living on a prayer, in Giants Stadium? (Pick your artist, anthem, and venue of choice)
  • built a fort with pillows and blankets and crawled inside to read a book by flashlight?
  • tried a new sport or activity, like paddle boarding or zip-lining?
  • hosted a “make your own pizza” night?
  • hosted a themed game night with friends?
  • colored or painted something just for fun?
  • danced like you were a female Australian Olympic breakdancer? (I couldn’t resist)

Even if only one of the above would make you smile and breathe joy and life into your day, when was the last time you did it?

Leaders often ask me how they can create a practice of gratitude that:

1. Doesn’t take a ton of time or effort and is easy to practice daily

2. Allows them to focus their mindset on the good things and the positive aspects of people and process

3. Creates a record of milestones for measuring progress and changing mindset

My best advice on this subject, and something I’ve personally been doing since April 2020, is taking 5-minutes every morning to write three sentences about what I’m grateful for. Some days are more difficult than others, but for the most part, it’s been a game changer to how I’ve started my days since. 

I have shared the book I use with clients, and subsequently, I receive back (possibly even better) suggestions after they’ve found others that have worked for them.

If starting a quick morning or evening practice of gratitude has been on your mind, or even if it hasn’t, but it sounds intriguing, check out the three suggestions below.

Maybe one of the journals will guide you into a year of THANKS-LIVING! 

Happy shopping! (Also another big thing we do today in the United States)  

1. Good Days Start with Gratitude: A 52-Week Guide to Cultivate An Attitude of Gratitude

2. The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: Give Thanks, Practice Positivity, Find Joy

3. Happy in The Hustle: A Mindfulness Journal Daily Practices, Prompts