Gratitude is a powerful tool that shapes our mindset and influences every aspect of our lives. “With a growth mindset, gratitude shifts your perspective,” explained Sue Vencill, a seasoned business coach and trainer with Business MAPS Coaching and Transformational Training. Sue helps business owners achieve their goals by focusing on the bigger picture and overcoming obstacles. In addition to coaching, Sue Vencill is certified with The One Thing, a New York Times bestseller on prioritizing a single task.
During a recent class, Sue worked with her clients on a gratitude mindset, and five of her key insights are provided here. “By focusing on gratitude, we can transform our overall approach to growth by prioritizing the one thing that will make everything else easier or unnecessary.”
1. Energy
Gratitude enhances how we manage our physical, mental and emotional energy. Physically, it motivates us to take better care of ourselves by encouraging movement, exercise, proper nourishment and rest. Mentally, gratitude shifts our thinking from fixed, negative mindsets to an expansive, positive outlook. Emotionally, practices like prayer, meditation and gratitude help replenish our reserves, enabling us to give to others from a place of abundance.
2. Habits and Choices
Gratitude influences the habits and choices that shape our lives. By focusing on what we’re grateful for, we naturally make decisions that serve us better, whether it’s choosing healthier meals, committing to personal growth or prioritizing exercise. The idea of focusing on one thing, like putting on walking shoes every morning to then get out the door for a walk, helps us build consistent habits, leading to long-term personal development.
3. Relationships and Resources
Gratitude also strengthens relationships and sharpens awareness of our resources. When we express appreciation to those we trust, we deepen our bonds and build a supportive community. Recognizing the people and resources we can rely on—like friends, family or mentors—creates a sense of security and positivity.
4. Growth Plan
When we focus on gratitude, we become more open to growth opportunities. Gratitude encourages us to learn, whether it’s mastering a new skill or improving an area of our lives. It helps us model good habits for those around us, such as becoming a better cook for our family or improving our health through consistent self-care.
5. Schedule
Gratitude requires that we prioritize ourselves, making time for things like self-care and reflection. By scheduling moments for gratitude, like a morning walk or meditation session, we create space for growth and self-reflection, ensuring we stay grounded and focused.
Sue’s Tips for Practicing Gratitude
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Start with Three Things: Begin by identifying three things you’re grateful for, which can be big things like family, health or your job. This helps you establish a baseline of appreciation.
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Go Deeper: Choose one of those things, like family, and dive deeper into what specifically you appreciate. For example, being thankful for your 18-year-old granddaughter’s achievements or your youngest son’s newfound job stability.
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Celebrate and Share: Don’t forget to celebrate your wins and express gratitude to others. Even small gestures, like complimenting a neighbor on their beautiful garden while out walking, can brighten someone’s day and make a lasting impact.
Gratitude is the lead domino in creating a growth mindset, setting the foundation for positivity and self-improvement. When we make gratitude a habit, everything else in life begins to fall into place.