How to Cultivate Appreciation in Your Busy Life

Running your business can be a veritable rollercoaster of emotions. When clients, money, and new ideas are flowing the high is almost untouchable, but that feeling of elation is often followed by moments of doubt, fear, and blockage.

Every piece of that cycle is normal, but having a solid thread of appreciation to return to will keep you from experiencing extremes.

What does that mean, a solid thread of appreciation?

It's a baseline, a constant. It's what grounds and uplifts you.

And get this – appreciation is what keeps the abundance flowing.

Sounds important, doesn't it?

Operating your life – and your business – from a state of appreciation is one of the most important elements of success.

That's how important it is. Want to achieve wild success? Cultivate a state of appreciation. Every day.

So how do you do it?

1. Stop comparing and count your wins.

Comparison will drag you down faster than a rock-filled jumpsuit in the Pacific.

The internet is equal parts fantastic and dangerous. It's fabulous that it contains so much information and content that you can find whatever you what and connect with whomever you want at any time because everything is right there!

But on the flip side, it also hosts everyone else's businesses, their successes, and it's easy to wade into comparative thinking. Before long you're overcome by feelings of 'I'm not good enough. I'm not doing enough. I'm not correct enough. I'm not enough.'

So first, stop surfing the internet and comparing your business (or life) to someone else's. Period.

Second, if you find yourself trolling and the cold fingers of despondency begin to creep into your heart, shut your browser and immediately recount several of your recent 'wins'. Yes, you have plenty of 'wins' and successes to celebrate. A 'win' can be as simple as completing most of your to-do list for the day, or as large as landing a six-figure contract. It could be feeling beautiful that day. It's whatever makes you feel happy and successful.

Count your wins.

That's step one.

2. Take notice of small beauties.

Big accomplishments do not exist on their own. Each 'big' life achievement is the culmination of many small events.

However, most people don't pay attention to the small things because they're working desperately toward that big milestone. Then they wonder why their bliss upon completion of said milestone is fleeting at best.

Why do they feel deflated after achievement?

Because they didn't take notice of all the small miracles that comprised the total accomplishment.

Be delighted with the small beauties. LOOK for them. Seek them out. And appreciate the ever-loving life out of them.

Notice a flower? Marvel at its perfect complexity.

Washing the dishes? Revel in the bubbles popping over your skin.

Taking a walk? Be fascinated with the responsiveness of your muscles working in harmony with your brain.

Sending an email? Find pleasure in communicating with another human being.

A painting undergoes a hundred thousand brushstrokes before it's finished. Enjoy the brush strokes of your life; they are countless.

3. Take charge of your thoughts.

Thoughts become things, and your best indication of the thoughts you're thinking are the emotions you’re feeling. They're the ultimate litmus test.

Pay attention to how you feel.

Are you taking a little emotional dip, not feeling quite as invigorated as before? Then choose a thought that feels better and continue on that path til you've left that dip a thousand miles behind and the memory of it has been pulverized to dust.

It's not always easy. It's not always fun (to begin). But it is always, and I do mean always, worth it.

You can't feel bad while appreciating. It's impossible.

Try it for a little while. Pause to notice what you're feeling, then take note of what you're thinking.

Feeling good? Keep going!

Not feeling so great? Change course.

You are in charge of how you feel. And how you feel is a reflection of what you're thinking. And as we've covered, your thoughts create your life.

When you practice appreciation, it becomes easier and easier to find. Before long, it will be the baseline of your life and that life becomes more abundant, joyful, and FUN.

Celebrate your wins.
Marvel at small beauties.
Choose your thoughts.

It's simple, yet that progression contains all the power of the universe to bring you into a state of appreciation. And that is how you achieve success in business and in life.