In the fast-paced world of today, we lead such busy lives that sometimes we forget to take note of the little things that make the world so much better. Like a flower in bloom, a rainbow in the sky, or simply a person offering great service to us… most of the time, we forget to take note of such things because we’re so immersed in our day-to-day lives.
Honestly, everyone enjoys being appreciated. There’s something about knowing that someone’s grateful for the service you provided that makes you feel really good and happy. It makes your day brighter and your spirits lift. And it even encourages you to work harder and become a better person.
As consumers going about our daily lives, we typically encounter a lot of people every day. The driver on the bus we ride on our daily commute, the guard always present in the entrance of the building, the cashier in our grocery store, the waiter who waits on our table at a restaurant, the customer service representative of a company, the receptionist at a hotel… though these people are paid a wage or salary for the services they provide, it doesn’t mean that we don’t have to thank them for giving a good service. Adopting an attitude of gratitude can help give you a positive feeling as well as encourage the people around you to be positive and happy as well.
With the problems that plague the world today, an attitude of gratitude can help you stand out among the rest and be noticed. No one really wants to be with someone who’s always gloom and doom, and who acts as if they have a chip on their shoulders, while they will flock around someone who exudes optimism.
When was the last time you gave someone a heartfelt thank you for the service the person provided? When was the last time you shot off an email to a hotel because you enjoyed your stay there? When was the last time you wrote to an airline for its wonderful service?
If your answer is that it’s been a while, you can always change this, starting today. Here are some tips to help keep you focused on an attitude of gratitude:
1. Take a moment each day to be thankful for your blessings
Whether it’s the minute you wake up or right before you sleep, make sure that you take the time to be thankful for the blessings you’ve received. I think the former would be better because it helps you start the day right. When you do this, it helps keep things in perspective for you, so that you feel more positive about yourself and the world around you.
2. Give yourself a goal of being grateful to other people
Give yourself a goal of sincerely thanking at least one person a day. Don’t just stop at saying the words – make an effort to really show them that you’re grateful for their service by telling their boss or manager about their excellent service, or perhaps writing the company a letter and mentioning the person’s name. People who feel appreciated are really encouraged to provide a better service, which is a win-win situation for everyone.
3. Focus on finding the positive sides of negative situations
It’s hard not to get bogged down by the negative things we experience in life, but we should always remember that there is always a positive side to any negative situation. For example, if you’re currently experiencing financial hardships, you can still look at it positively in that you have a job and that you expect to get out of it soon. If a relationship just ended, focus on the fact that it will give you time to focus on yourself and improving your life.
Truly, there’s something to be said about a person who continuously has an attitude of gratitude. What’s great about people who have this attitude is that it actually spreads to the people around them, since anyone would feel like such a drudge to continue being so ungrateful while they’re next to someone who’s happy and grateful for everything.
So remember to take the time to be thankful for your blessings, be grateful for the people whose services you avail of each day, and always focus on the positive side of every situation. The attitude makes all the difference, believe me. You can greet the day with a frown on your face, or you could greet it with a smile… I’m hoping you choose the latter.