3 Ways RE Investors Can Practice an Attitude of Gratitude

Gratitude is all the rage these days! And, it should be.

Practicing an “Attitude of Gratitude” on a regular basis has been proven to have substantial changes on our outlook and life. One study at UC Davis, found the practice of keeping a gratitude journal improved participants’ happiness quotient and even made them want to exercise more!

Having an attitude of gratitude can help real estate investors too.

While more recent studies have confirmed the link between gratitude and happiness, gratitude is a theme found throughout the Bible.

Psalm 100:4-5

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

From the beginning of time, human beings are called by their Creator to give thanks

                              Three Ways to Practice an “Attitude of Gratitude”

1. Keep a gratitude journal. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Just a note pad or small notebook. I like to write down five things I am grateful for every day.

This can be done in the morning as part of a morning ritual like the Miracle Morning or before one goes to bed.

Sometimes the things I write down are broad like my family or the weather while other times my entries are more specific like giving thanks for a specific relationship or event that happened. In other words, there is no right way.

2. Make gratitude a regular part of your life. Stop long enough and ponder all that you have been blessed with.

Even on our worst day as real estate investors, we can find something to be thankful for…our next breath, the clothes on our back, waking up in the morning and so much more.

It is interesting that when you begin to focus on what is right with your life instead of what is wrong it changes your disposition and outlook.

I like to call all this engaging in “Thanks-Living” whereby we live a life of gratitude and don’t just leave gratitude for one day in November.

3. Do something for someone else. When we share of our abundance, we not only practice an abundance mentality but we also demonstrate our gratitude for all that we have received.

Gratitude propels us to do for others so they too might experience what we have. We call this blessed to be a blessing. If giving back in some way is not part of your “Why” in real estate investing you might reconsider and realign some of your values and priorities.

In the end, it might be good to do what the old hymn says and “Count your Blessings.”

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Happy investing!