As you write, here are nine important tips:
Tip #1 - Be as specific as possible
Specificity is key to fostering gratitude. “I’m grateful that my co-workers brought me soup when I was sick on Tuesday” will be more effective than “I’m grateful for my co-workers.”
Tip #2 - Go for depth over breadth
Elaborating in detail about a particular person or thing for which you’re grateful carries more benefits than a superficial list of many things.
Tip #3 - Get personal
Focusing on people to whom you are grateful has more of an impact than focusing on things for which you are grateful.
Tip #4 - Try subtraction
Not just addition. Consider what your life would be like without certain people or things, rather than just tallying up all the good stuff. Be grateful for the negative outcomes you avoided, escaped, prevented, or turned into something positive—try not to take that good fortune for granted.
Tip #5 - See good things as “gifts.”
Thinking of the good things in your life as gifts guards against taking them for granted. Try to relish and savour the gifts you’ve received.
Tip #6 - Savour surprises
Try to record events that were unexpected or surprising, as these tend to elicit stronger levels of gratitude.
Tip #7 - Revise if you repeat
Writing about some of the same people and things is OK, but zero in on a different aspect in detail.
Tip #8 - Write regularly
Whether you write every other day or once a week, commit to a regular time to journal, then honour that commitment.
NOW ITS YOUR TURN:
WRITE 10 THINGS THAT YOU ARE GRATEFUL TODAY
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