Cultivating a Gratitude Attitude for a Better Life
- Brainz Magazine
- May 7
- 6 min read
Written by Andrew Murphy, Mindset Self-worth Coach
Dru Murphy is a certified mindset self-worth coach who has been helping people all over the globe change the way they see themselves and gain a deeper sense of self-worth and confidence for more than 5 years. His simple but effective coaching style is what makes clients comfortable enough to be open and trust him fully as their coach.
In today’s fast-paced world we often feel forced to focus on what we lack or what’s next. This pressure can be overwhelming and because of this, it’s easy to overlook the simple power of gratitude. Research and experience consistently show us that cultivating a "gratitude attitude" (the habit of recognizing and appreciating the positive aspects of life) can lead to profound improvements in mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. In this article I will explore this concept and explain in detail to the reader tools I know will help you with your personal development journey.
In my coaching I often start my clients off with a gratitude lesson. We start with things like a 21-day gratitude challenge as well as a deep inner work gratitude map. Gratitude is not just a superpower but an essential tool that will help you stay motivated even when you are facing the most difficult challenges. I ask my clients to reflect often on what they have to be grateful for and what lessons they can learn from their challenges and setbacks. There is always something to learn from any setback and there is always something to be grateful for.
What is gratitude?
Gratitude is more than saying “thank you.” It is a mindset, a conscious choice to acknowledge the good in our lives no matter what. It can be a small act of kindness, a beautiful moment in nature, or the love of a friend. Gratitude is about recognizing that many aspects of our lives are gifts, not entitlements. This is a very important lesson that we sometimes need to be reminded of.
The science behind gratitude
Many studies in positive psychology have found that regularly practicing gratitude can increase happiness, reduce depression and anxiety, limit stress, improve sleep, and enhance relationships. Gratitude activates brain regions associated with dopamine and serotonin (the “feel-good” neurotransmitters) which helps to rewire our brains for positivity.
Benefits of a gratitude attitude
Improved mental health: Gratitude reduces negative emotions like envy, resentment, and regret. It helps us to shift our focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant. This gives us the motivation to continue even when things are tough.
Better physical health: Grateful people tend to take better care of their health, engage in regular exercise, and are more likely to attend regular check-ups.
Stronger relationships: Expressing appreciation deepens connections. This changes your perspective and helps you to build empathy, reduce conflict, and build trust.
Greater resilience: Gratitude helps people recover more quickly from adversity and failures by promoting a more grounded perspective. Remember, things will happen but when you maintain a gratitude attitude you can see the upside to almost any situation you may face and you are more likely to stay motivated to push through.
How to cultivate gratitude daily
Cultivating gratitude takes time and practice. You don’t have to redo your life or try to do it all at once in order to start benefiting from gratitude. Small, consistent practices can make a big difference. Remember, Start small. Think “what can I do today to get to where I want to go?” Think “what 3 things do I have to be grateful for today?” Create a routine that is built around gratitude and watch how things start to improve around you. It is important to note that this is a marathon not a sprint. Take your time and be kind to yourself.
Keep a gratitude journal: Each day, write down 3–5 things you're thankful for. Over time, this rewires your brain to seek out the positive. This is a great routine to help build your gratitude and just like any physical muscle, the more you train it the stronger it becomes.
Say it out loud: Tell people you appreciate them. It does not have to be a big deal, just a quick note, a text, or a heartfelt thank-you can brighten both your day and theirs. When you understand the importance of gratitude and you come from a truly grateful place, things start to change around you.
Mindful moments: Pause during your day to notice something positive like the taste of your coffee, the warmth of the sun, the sound of laughter. It may seem small or insignificant, but this action builds a deeper connection between you and the world you live in and over time, it helps to cultivate a more profound sense of gratitude. After a while it becomes second nature, and you will notice a change in yourself for the better. This will also help you see setbacks for what they are and not overthink them.
Reframe challenges: Instead of dwelling on what’s difficult, identify the lesson. The failure/challenge is an opportunity for growth. Understand that things will happen and the reason for them happening is that there is a lesson to be learned. You cannot grow if you do not learn, and you cannot learn without failure. Remember that growth happens outside of your comfort zone.
Practice before sleep: Reflect on the day. What went well? What did you learn? This is a great way to end the day and allows for better rest.
Final thoughts
Gratitude is not about ignoring life’s difficulties. It is not about being nonchalant or not caring. Setbacks will come. Challenges will arise. A gratitude attitude will help shift your perspective towards the better. Gratitude is about choosing to also see the good but not ignoring the bad. When we shift our perspective to one of appreciation, life becomes richer, more meaningful, and filled with joy. There is a difference between “I don’t mind this setback” and “I don’t care about this setback”
“I don’t mind” means That you see it for what it is, your perspective is clear, and you know what to do about the situation as well as what to learn from it. “I don’t care” is when you give up or run from the situation and refuse to see the lesson for growth. “I don’t care” is a sign that you have succumbed to overwhelm so you have allowed the situation to be bigger than it is, and you have allowed fear to govern your perspective.
A gratitude attitude isn't just a feel-good practice. It is not just a “stay positive attitude” it's a life-changing perspective that takes time to master and the more consistent you become the easier it becomes to manage.
So, pause, look around, and give thanks. A better life might just begin with a simple “thank you.”
This is a practice that takes time to master, and you will have moments when you feel less motivated. Understand that this is normal and it’s ok to not be 100% on all the time. When you fall, acknowledge the failure, learn from it and move on. Be kind to yourself and understand that this will take time and as long as you recognize this, you are on the right track to allowing gratitude to be your attitude.
Call to action
For the next 21 days, every evening at the end of your day, reflect on 5 things that you are grateful for. Go deep. Not just the basic trivial things, but what are you truly grateful for? Write these things down and read them at the end of the week. Watch as your gratitude grows and become second nature after time.
Read more from Andrew Murphy
Andrew Murphy, Mindset Self-worth Coach
Dru Murphy is a certified ACT/CBT mindset self-worth coach. He is the owner and founder of Level Up Coaching & Consulting.
He specializes in helping clients with developing a deeper sense of self-worth and a better understanding of who they are and want to become.
Dru's unique and effective coaching style is what sets him apart from other coaches.
Not only will he support and guide his clients along their personal development journey, but he will also hold them accountable and demand discipline.
