How Gratitude Can Be Key to Success and Happiness in Your Life

Guest Author: Lorenzo Cicetti

We understand that your attitude and personality are one of the most important things that will bring you success in life and in business. Think about it; which would you prefer: to work with someone who is negative about their life all the time or with someone who is positive and upbeat about the future? A person who is focused on the future, who is helpful, and who has determination and hard work will be successful. He is much more powerful than the one that is steeped in doubt. These entail an attitude of gratefulness for the life he has. This is the reason why gratitude is so important.

You may have heard of the law of attraction - what you put out into the universe, you receive in turn. Since thoughts are energy, it is only logical that energy impacts the physical world around us. This is why it is extremely important to be careful of how your emotions control you! If you can keep a positive mindset, you will receive positive effects in your life. Gratitude is one of the most important things you can implement in your daily life. Think about it, when you have forgiven someone, or you are happy with your life situation, life seems so much easier.

No matter how bad life is, there is always something that you can be grateful for. If you can not think of anything, you need to take some time out of your life: sit down, think, and write it down. Thank God, the universe, whatever your preference is that you have someone or something special in your life to be thankful for. Keep real reminders about what you are working for;for whom or for what reason, and you will be able to make gratitude a part of your daily life.

Think about the successful people. They have pictures of their families on their desks. This helps them stay motivated and they are reminded why they are at work that day! You do not need pictures to do this. Just any little object that will bring about the feelings of gratitude in you will work. Perhaps, your degree, pictures from a holiday that you took, or maybe a picture of your goal that you are working towards.

Once you develop that attitude of gratitude, your mindset will be realigned! When you get in touch with your higher mind that is full of positive thoughts, you will reap its benefits!

Lorenzo is a Personal Development Coach and an Internet Marketing Trainer that shares his knowledge to empower people achieve their dreams and goals. Please visit Gratitude: Success in Business for tips and advice.

Sometimes You Need A Little "Me Time"...

Most of us feel selfish when we realize we need time for self—especially when you have kids—it's as if we all decided that becoming a responsible adult meant the end of all activities geared towards personal enjoyment. There was to be no more fun...ever.

Well, forgive me for saying so, but, that's a load of crap!

Being a mother, father, sister, brother, cousin, friend, daughter, or son in no way obligates you to remain tethered to playing whatever role you feel you're expected to play. You are entitled to take that fishing/hunting trip, go see that movie you've been wanting to see, or make that jaunt to the local mall to catch up on your window-shopping.

You are every bit as important as those you give your time to, and if you don't recharge, you will regress into the solemn, sad, and stressed out state that lends to depression, anger, and resentment.

You owe it to yourself to be mindful of your needs—even if that means being selfish—and whenever the guilt creeps in, just remind yourself that even God rested on day seven.

Day One: Selfishness Is Sometimes Necessary

It's impossible to please everybody, so stop trying. Keep it simple, concentrate on you, and tell everyone else to take a number.

There's nothing wrong with being a little selfish.

Sometimes, in our desperate attempts to be kind, empathic, sympathetic, and productive, we forget that we are human first. We all need to be taken care of—even those of us who might not realize it. It's important to remember to take time for yourself—you are not obligated to set aside your needs for that of others. By doing so, you only serve to short-change yourself and them because you cannot fully commit yourself to one person, one project, or one act if you are spreading yourself thin.

Be the conduit through which all good things can flow, as opposed to the clog where all bad things build—eventually, sullying the good around you.

Even more, don't feel guilty for taking time to enhance you because, while no one should expect you to be perfect, there's nothing wrong with striving towards some semblance of excellence.