The Pervasive Power of Gratitude

As we put our hands together in gratitude, we open them up to receive more…a strange and true fact of life. In fact, research shows that gratitude is probably THE SINGLE most beneficial habit that we can cultivate!

Cicero, the Roman philosopher, said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues, but the parent of all others.”  And according to Anthony Robbins,”When you are grateful, fear disappears and ABUNDANCE appears.”  So why not find something to be grateful for every single minute of the day?? Imagine what abundance you’ll experience!

Need convincing?? Let’s look at the potent, pervasive power of gratitude….

To start (and end) with, gratitude creates more happiness.  It improves our health, relationships, emotions, personality, career, and productivity! Yup…and so much more. Below are researched results of having a “Gratitude Attitude”. (from more than 40 research studies. See: HappierHuman.com)

1. Gratitude makes us happier.

A five-minute-a-day gratitude journal can increase your long-term well-being by more than 10 percent. Roughly the same impact as doubling your income…wow!  It’s so much easier to express gratitude than it is to double your income, AND gratitude can also help your income increase.  It’s a double win!


2. Gratitude makes more people like us.

Gratitude increases “social capital”, by making us nicer, more trusting, more social, and more appreciative. This translates into having more friends, deeper relationships, and improved marriages.  In fact, two studies (with 250 participants) showed that participants who were 10% more grateful than average had 17.5% more social breadth and depth, than others who did not have a “gratitude attitude”.


3. Gratitude makes us more optimistic.

There’s a strong correlation between gratitude and optimism. Optimism then makes us happier, improving our health, which has been shown to increase lifespan by as much as a few years!  Wouldn’t that make taking 5 minutes a day to write down your “gratitudes du jour” well worth the time?


4. Gratitude makes us healthier. 

In several studies, people keeping gatitude journals demonstrated the following shifts in their health: fewer physical symptoms, less pain., longer and better sleep,  more time spent exercising, less physical pain, better relaxation, less depression, lower blood pressure.

5. Gratitude strengthens our emotions.

Gratitude reduces feelings of envy, makes our memories happier, lets us experience good feelings, and helps us bounce back from stress.


6.Gratitude reduces materialism.


Gratitude causes us to focus less on things that don’t matter, like making money, and more on the things that do, like family, friends and using our gifts.  Now, there’s nothing wrong with wanting more, but materialism is strongly correlated with reduced well-being and increased rates of mental disorder. Materialism makes people feel less competent, reduces their ability to appreciate and enjoy the good in life, makes them more self-centered.  Materialism also generates negative emotions, AND reduces feelings of relatedness and gratitude.  I’d say go with gratitude first.

7. Gratitude boosts our career.   

Gratitude makes us more effective managers, helps us network, increases decision making capabilities, increases productivity, and helps you get mentors and proteges. As a result, gratitude helps us achieve career goals, as well as making the workplace a more friendly and enjoyable place to be. 


6. Gratitude develops our personality.


By making us more optimistic, more relaxed, more loving, more spiritual, with better self esteem, and less self-centeredness.

7. Gratitude improves us socially

It makes us more friendly, more respectful, have better marriages, more friends, and deeper relationships.
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So, as a leadership, business and personal coach, my assignment for you is to start building your gratitude attitude today, and find 5 things to be grateful for.  Do this every day, and watch your life change in many ways.  Please write to me and let me know your results: lynnea@lynneahagen.com

To Your Abundance!
Lynnea