Here in the U.S. tomorrow is Thanksgiving. A time for giving thanks for all the blessings in our lives… and a time for being with family and friends… and a time for eating too much (at least my personal experience!)

I honor the tradition of Thanksgiving and all it means, yet it has always seemed odd that a specific day was set aside to give thanks. What if we gave thanks or expressed gratitude everyday?

A daily mindset of gratitude may even expose you to the bountiful opportunities that are around you. Those opportunities will not be seen if your mental focus is on something other than gratitude. What do I mean?

As an entrepreneur, if I focus on the repeating messages of economic struggles, then I will probably experience personal and business economic struggles. However, if I focus on the gratitude of every success, the blessings of each employee, and expressing my thanks for clients/customers, then I will certainly feel more enthusiastic and upbeat. That gives a broader perspective for recognizing new possibilities and opportunities.

If you work for an organization and focus on the concern for keeping your job… we call that playing not to lose rather than playing to win. When you focus on not losing your job, your working from fear which is never creative or energizing. The protection mindset will limit your ability to give your best. What can you be grateful for? Your job, each and everyday… your paycheck no matter what the amount, you have some income… your car, your home, your family, your friends, your health and on and on.

I often suggest to people to each morning say, “Something wonderful is going to happen to me today.” and then each night, reflect on all the wonderful things that happened. Now, in the beginning, people often say nothing wonderful happened. That is because they are looking for the big hits… money magically arriving, vacation experience, etc. However, with consistent focus each day, suddenly they realize all the wonderful small things that happen each day… green lights when driving, listening to a child laughing, enjoying a wonderful hug, seeing a beautiful flower, etc. That is the perspective shift that gratitude brings.

What can you be grateful for today? Tomorrow? Each day?

It is such a better experience to be grateful than to be worried and stressed… don’t you agree? Guess what, you are in charge. You can choose in each moment to be grateful rather than stressed, worried, angry or upset. Even in the midst of chaos, you can be grateful that you know it will end because it always does. And sometimes it ends faster with the Gratitude Mindset.

Thank you for reading my blog. I am grateful for the opportunity to share.