I’ve written previously about the power of positivity and gratitude but, I think it’s time for a bit of a reminder. Recently, I feel like I’ve been surrounded by Eeyores. And no, I’m not talking about being depressed (because we all know the little fella could use some good exercise to help lift him up). I’m talking about focusing only on the bad and forgetting to focus on the positive. I’m talking about forgetting to give, and yes, even receive gratitude.
While I absolutely think that you should vent and reach out and ask for help, I also think there are ways for you to help yourself. Life is hard. Business is hard. Motherhood is hard. No one has ever, ever told us differently. So, buck up, everyone. Get to work. And start with some positivity and some gratitude.
Whine, complain, bitch all you want…but then so something about it. Don’t just sit on your ass and think other people are going to lift you up and hold you there. Our arms get tired, there’s no way we can do it on our own. Do something.
Luckily, there are some fairly easy ways for you to begin to help yourself. The simplest thing you can start doing and doing right now is to start putting the power couple of positivity and gratitude to work for you. Shed a little positivity in your own world. Acknowledge and be grateful for the gifts (no matter how small) you have in your life. You may find it difficult at first, particularly if you’re really struggling, but take some baby steps and start doing the work.
Positivity
When things are going wrong, it’s often difficult to focus and find the positives in your life. We get so stuck focusing on everything that is going wrong, we often overlook what is going right. But, what the heck?! I bet there are a number of things, even the smallest of small things that went okay in your day.
Here’s what you need to do: before bed tonight I want you to snuggle in and write down three positive things that happened to you today.
The range for positivity can be incredibly widespread. Some days you may have had amazing things happen to you and some days the only positive events might be that you are breathing, that you’re snuggled in bed and that you look forward to tomorrow being a better day. All positive. All good. Simply reframing a shitty day. That’s the power of positivity.
There’s truth in “it could always be worse”…but jeez…don’t put that out there to the universe. She’ll snap it up and say “Oh yeah! It totally can! Want me to show you?!”.
No. No you do not. You want to put the positive out to the universe and show gratitude for the positive things happening in your life.
Speaking of which…
Gratitude
I’m a huge fan of gratitude. Of not only giving it to others, but of being grateful for the things in my life that I am so very lucky to have. I notice when things slow down in my life and aren’t going the way I want, it’s gratitude that I’ve let slip.
I write in a journal every morning and every evening and in it I write down three things I am grateful for. Three things I’m grateful for each morning. Three things I’m grateful for each evening. The interesting part? If I stop writing in my gratitude journal, the harder it is for me to find the positives and the slower my business grows. I begin to feel stuck. When I pick back up on writing in my gratitude journal, I get unstuck.
It
’s phenomenal. Magical, really. I dare you to try. I double-dog dare you.
You don’t need a fancy-schmancy journal (although there are some beautiful ones out there, I particularly love the Self Journal). All you need to get started is a pen, a notebook (Walmart has ‘em for $0.99) and about 3 minutes every evening and morning.
Here’s how: every morning, before you do anything else, grab your journal and write three things you’re grateful for.
It could be as simple as “I’m grateful for hot coffee”, “I’m grateful that my kids woke up healthy and strong”, “I’m grateful to have a roof over my head”. Or, you can go big. As big as you want.
Do the same thing every evening. After you’ve written about the three positive things that happened to you, write down 3 things you’re grateful for.
You could be grateful for the positive things, absolutely, but try to spread your wings a little. Think beyond those ideas. If you’re stuck, use ‘em. It’s okay. Maybe tomorrow you’ll have more to write.
The Power Couple
Once you start acknowledging the positives and giving gratitude in your life, things will move and shift for you. But, it’s so important that you don’t forget to write them down. I reminded a friend of mine of the power of gratitude this weekend and she said: “Oh yeah, I totally forgot about that”. It got me thinking, yes, of course you did, you’re so bogged down in the day to day of life and business! Of course you forgot. But, I’m here to remind you. And remind you, I will.
Don’t let the grey clouds and the Eeyore events in life take over. Life is hard. Business is hard. But would we grow otherwise? But, I’m certain there are things you can be positive about. I’m certain there are things you should be grateful for. Take the time to acknowledge both. It’s so important.
If all you’re doing is constantly putting negative out to the world, no wonder you’re struggling. Not only will people tend to shy away from that (it’s a pretty negative energy to be around), but the universe will shy away from helping to lift you to where you’re supposed to be.
Positivity and gratitude. Give both, work hard and reap the benefits. It’s there for the taking. You just need to focus and work. Work and focus.
Now, go be positive. Be grateful. And hey…extra bonus? Do something nice for someone today. Anything you want. The goal is to make someone smile. You in?
