top of page

Beware of Gratitude Trap

  • May 26, 2021
  • 3 min read

Written by: Irina Krasko, Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

You must have heard that gratitude is the first step to success. But did you know that there is such thing as gratitude overdose, too?


The key here is the ”first step.” I would say an ongoing first step - a continuous base for your success and progress.


Set aside all the spiritual gloss, the function of gratitude is simply to set your focus on positivity and resourcefulness.


When you tune your attention to what you already have, your mind goes into a more resourceful and creative state, opening your eyes to the endless opportunities around you.

Conversely, when you’re focused on what you don’t have, you lay out a bumpy, less effective runway to take off. Negativity never helped moving forward!


But here’s the trap...


A lot of people who practice gratitude get hooked and… somewhat stuck. It makes us feel comfortable, helps with positive emotions, and keeps our mood on high frequencies.

Now, the thing is, all of the above can easily make you complacent too. And when you get complacent, you slow down, become shy in your ambitions, and eventually consent to settle for mediocre.


While ‘NOW’ is important to be happy and healthy, it doesn’t mean you should not strive for more and better for yourself.


I don’t deny that we all have different needs and desires. But have you ever noticed that nagging feeling that something isn’t aligned?


It’s like a missing jigsaw piece. And we often try to shush that feeling by indulging in even more gratitude, fake-solving the jigsaw. When in fact, that missing piece is your strive for a better future.


As humans, we always want to see what’s beyond the horizon. So if you find yourself continuously repeating to yourself “I’m just happy the way it is,” “I’m fine with what I have,” “I don’t need much” - check with yourself in a brutally honest way - are you really...?


Without undermining the power of being grateful for the present - it simply doesn't work in isolation if you want to live to your full potential.


The desire and anticipation of something better on their own give you a splash of dopamine, and has an incredible power to drive forward actions. And where there is action, there is a result. Add to it an unshakable belief, and you immediately start seeing more doors opening.

Today people have become more aware of how much power our minds have, but far from many actually use it for their benefit. Our minds can be trained and “tuned” to success. And it’s not that hard and doesn’t take long, especially when you get the right support.


For more info, follow me on Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn!

Irina Krasko, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Irina Krasko is a talented life & mindset coach. She helps accomplished professionals connect their success with a genuine sense of fulfillment.


Working with those who seem “to have it all” from outside but are deeply unfulfilled from inside, she helps them find more meaning and passion in their lives and build a lifestyle they truly desire.


The biggest lesson she learned in her corporate and coaching life was that the bridge is better built from fulfillment to success, not the other way round. The sense of inner calm and uncompromised confidence is what empowers people to thrive and succeed with ease in any part of their lives.


In Irina's coaching program, she uses tools and techniques designed to permanently transform your mindset, solidify your authentic inner confidence and become unstoppable and fast in achieving your goals.

 
 

This article is published in collaboration with Brainz Magazine’s network of global experts, carefully selected to share real, valuable insights.

Article Image

How To Prepare Your Family for a Stress-Less Summer Holiday

Yay, a family holiday! Why am I not excited? The car is finally packed (all by you, so it’s done properly). Someone can't find their shoes (did they even have them on when they got in the car?). One child is...

Article Image

You Already Know What to Do, So What's Stopping You?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where, on paper, making a simple behaviour change should be straightforward, yet in practice it is quite the opposite? You are not alone.

Article Image

The Imperfection That Makes Real Intimacy Possible

There is a particular paradox that lives at the heart of almost everyone who has done significant spiritual work. The more refined, evolved, and self-aware they become, the harder it can quietly become to actually...

Article Image

You're Not Burned Out, You're Out of Coherence

Every fix you’ve tried has worked on paper. The earlier nights. The cleaner calendar. The boundaries you finally held. Still, that hum underneath everything. Quiet. Persistent. Waiting. What if it...

Article Image

Stop Calling It Reflection If You’re Just Thinking

You leave work and drive home. The radio is off. The day is still running through your head, the conversation that went off on a tangent, the meeting you should have handled differently, the decision you keep...

Article Image

Work-Life Balance Versus Sustainable Authority

If you’ve tried to find a better balance but still feel exhausted, you’re not alone. Many high-achieving women leaders are told they need better work-life balance, but that balance often fails when the deeper...

The Subconscious Patterns That Shape Success

When Self-Doubt Takes a Seat at the Table – 5 Ways to Manage It

Three Workplace Conditions That Turn Autistic Strengths into Burnout

Why the Future of Technology Must Be Green

The Five Decisions That Decide Your Startup's First Year

What If Cancer Begins Long Before the Tumour?

Nobody Let You Down, Your Expectations Did

The Hidden Pattern Behind Narcissistic Relationships, and How to Break the Cycle

How a Social Media Detox Helps Overcome Self-Sabotage to Refuel Motivation in Business

bottom of page