What Works: Attract Abundance Through Gratitude

This past Sunday, I was asked to speak briefly at Unity of the Sierra about a free gratitude group I run on Facebook. Anyone can request to join by going here. Gratitude is a practice many become just a little more aware of in November. After all, it’s the month of Thanksgiving. However, did you know that gratitude is scientifically proven to create joy and abundance?

In his book “Thanks: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier,” Dr. Robert Emmons proved through research that gratitude increases levels of joy, happiness, and overall abundance. In the process I created, Critical Opportunity Process (yes, I realize the acronym is COP - there aren’t enough police out there to police good habits), celebration is a key component of recognizing success in habit change and sustaining good habits. So, Dr. Emmons and I agree.

Not everyone is on social media. So I’d like to utilize my column this week to share my gratitude process. If you read last week’s column, you know there are no cookie cutters. So feel free to adjust in a way that works for you.

— Pre-Gratitude: I look forward in the week to what I want to happen. Then, in the group (you can also do this on a piece of paper, in a notes app, wherever) I write. “I’m so grateful that this week I….” Then I number off the things I am grateful for as if they have already happened. What this does is it gets me in vibration with what I want to achieve, but it also puts me in the end result without the heavy HOW it’s going to happen. Removing the how opens up possibility and removes the weight around ME having to figure it out. I just stay in tune with it and go about my week.

— What Worked Today: In the evening, I list out everything that worked well for me that day. For example, even though it’s a cold and blustery day, I met a friend at Old World Coffee and then snuggled up to work on my favorite couch at Comma Coffee. When I focus more about what worked each and every day (versus what did not work) I get MORE of what worked. AKA: More good stuff happens in my life.

— Spot Check Gratitude: Sometimes, I will send out a single post to the group. Stop everything you are doing and post - what is going right today? This disruptive gratitude can act as a wake-up call. Sometimes, when the day is going a bit rough, I have to spot check myself before I wreck myself. Remember, what you focus on increases. If you find yourself focusing on the bad stuff, you will be amazed at how much “happens to you.”

— Gratitude Recap: Remember that pre-gratitude? Check back on it at the end of the week. How much happened? How much that was even better happened? I have this saying. The world doesn’t act on you. You act on the world! You get what you put out there and it all starts with self-management.

When I work with companies, some of the work I do is getting their company culture, policies, and processes in line with what they want to attract. Some companies that struggle are really doing themselves in from the inside out. Internal communication is EVERYTHING. Whether you are talking about personal mindset or business attitudes, it ALL starts from within. You get what you give.

How can you express gratitude and celebrate every day? If you have a gratitude practice, how has it helped you attract goodness into your life? I want to know! Post a comment below in this article or share this article to your social media. Let’s start a conversation! The floor is yours, Carson City.

ABOUT DIANE DYE HANSEN
Diane Dye Hansen has more than 20 years of experience in communication and change management gained in the sectors of government, non-profit, healthcare, publishing, advertising, entertainment, and technology. Her Critical Opportunity Theory helps organizations and leaders turn challenge into opportunity through proper leadership and team communication.
She is the president and founder of What Works Consultants, Inc., a consulting firm which helps business leaders communicate when communication is hard. This is done through research, strategic communication planning, change management consulting, human resources recruitment and training. She is a columnist on CarsonNow.org. To meet her and learn how she and her team can help your company, visit What Works Consultants, Inc. online at www.whatworksconsultants.com.