In the US this month we have Thanksgiving. I find that being thankful, or having gratitude, is one of the things that helps keep me on track, both in how and what I am doing.
You may not see the connection, so here is my twisty train of thought:
- Thankfulness makes me pause and reflect on what is going on in my life.
- This reflection brings me awareness.
- The awareness allows me to judge if my current path is both effective and efficient (eg productive)
- This awareness allows me to judge if I am living the life I want to lead (eg deliberate living)
This act of pausing is the basis for the review aspect of every productivity system. You pause, review what has happened, and see what is coming at you.
I add the step of thankfulness to the daily and weekly review. I remember why I am doing what I am doing. I remember all the people who support me and cheer me on. And in this remembrance comes the thankfulness. The thankfulness then resets my frame of mind to something more positive.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not naturally an optimistic person. Being grateful doesn’t mean I am a 100% happy person whose life is full of light and rainbows. Nope, and I wouldn’t want that. I still have a good share of meh days. I still have days when I just want to go back to bed and hide. Gratitude simply reminds me that there are a lot of good out there. That there is something beyond me and my petty issues.
