Gratitude changes your mood, day, and life.
As public speakers, we often talk about the importance of perspective and mindset. The lens through which we view the world has a profound impact not only on our presentations but on our daily lives. One powerful lens that has the ability to transform not only your mindset but also your life is gratitude. Gratitude can also increase your confidence and connect you more deeply with your audience. How to be too blessed to be stressed?" Just start counting your blessings.
To get you started and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have updated this blog post (2023) by updating my personal list of 160 things I'm grateful for. This list is not limited to just these 160 things. I am still thinking of more things! And, these aren't just random words on a page – each one holds a special meaning and tells a story.
You can do the same. I've made the list so that you can download it and change it to create your own list. Change the words to fit what you are thankful for. The moment you do, your mood, your day, and your life will change for the better! You'll see how you are too blessed to be stressed. 🙂
Click the image below to download your list and begin editing.
Exploring the Gratitude List
From "Adventure" to "Zest for life" (Zest needs to be added to the list!), the list is extensive and unlimited. Here are just a few highlights and what they mean in the context of public speaking:
- Adventure: The thrill of stepping onto a new stage, meeting a new audience, or tackling a new topic.
- Compassion: The understanding and empathy you bring into your speeches, ensuring you resonate with each audience member.
- Improvement: Every speech is an opportunity to learn, grow, and refine your skills.
- Public Speakers: Grateful for the community, the mentors, the peers, and everyone who plays a part in this incredible journey.
You can you apply these same things to life in general and see how quickly the list can become bigger and bigger.
Why Gratitude Matters in Public Speaking and in Life
- Shifts Focus from Fear to Appreciation: Instead of dwelling on nervousness or potential mistakes, gratitude shifts our focus to appreciation. This positive outlook can be felt by the audience, making your message resonate even deeper. Applies to life in the same way.
- Connects with the Audience: Sharing personal stories of gratitude allows the audience to see your human side, fostering a deeper connection and rapport. Applies to life in the same way.
- Enhances Storytelling: Many of the items on my gratitude list remind me of personal anecdotes and experiences. Incorporating these stories into presentations can make them more relatable and impactful. In life too!
Tips to Incorporate Gratitude into Your Daily Routine
1. Mornings
- Morning Affirmations: Begin your day by verbally expressing one thing you're thankful for. This sets a positive tone for the day.
- Visualization: Picture a recent event or person you're thankful for, and bask in the positive feelings associated with it.
2. Journal
- Daily Entries: Every night before sleeping, jot down one to three things that you were grateful for during the day. It could be as simple as a good meal or as profound as a business breakthrough.
- Review Weekly: At the end of each week, take a few minutes to review your entries, reflecting on the abundance in your life.
3. At Work
- Thank-You Notes: Send out thank-you emails or cards to colleagues, clients, or partners for their assistance or partnership.
- Gratitude Break: Take a 5-minute break during your workday to reflect upon something positive. This can refresh your mindset and boost productivity.
4. Technology
- Gratitude Apps: There are numerous mobile apps available that prompt you to note down things you're grateful for.
- Gratitude Alarms: Set random alarms throughout the day. When they go off, pause to think of something you appreciate.
5. Habits
- Express Gratitude to Others: Make it a habit to express your gratitude to others. Send a thank-you note, make a phone call, or simply tell someone you appreciate them.
- Gratitude in Conversation: Incorporate gratitude into your daily conversations. Ask friends or family about their day and what they're thankful for.
- Mindful Appreciation: During your daily routine, practice mindfulness by truly appreciating the small things. Savor your morning coffee, enjoy a warm shower, or relish a delicious meal.
- Gratitude Affirmations: Use daily affirmations related to gratitude. For example, "I am grateful for the abundance in my life."
- Sleep Aid: As you fall asleep, beginning with A, whisper something or someone you are grateful for and why. You'll be asleep before you get too far!
6. Connecting
- Gratitude Walk: Take a walk in nature and focus on the beauty around you. Acknowledge the trees, flowers, or even the clear blue sky.
- Gratitude Partner: Share your gratitude journey with a friend or family member. You can both encourage each other to stay committed to gratitude practices.
- Random Acts of Kindness: Incorporate gratitude by doing kind things for others. Acts of kindness often lead to a sense of gratitude.
7. Reminders
- Gratitude Board: Create a physical or digital gratitude board where you can pin or post images and notes representing what you're grateful for.
- Gratitude Jar: Create a gratitude jar where you place notes with things you're thankful for throughout the year. At the end of the year, you can revisit them.
8. When Stressed
- Pause for Appreciation: Whenever you face a challenge or a moment of stress, pause and find something positive in the situation. This can shift your perspective. There's always a silver lining.
- Gratitude Meditation: Practice guided gratitude meditation to deeply connect with your feelings of thankfulness.
Gratitude isn't just a list or a fleeting feeling during the holidays; it's a perspective, a practice, and a powerful tool for anyone. I invite you to download this 8.5x11 poster, hang it in a place where you'll see it often, and let it serve as a daily reminder of the countless blessings around us.
What things are you thankful for? Please share below and contribute to others in this gratitude space!