Gratitude Journaling

tldr: Build upon what works.

Gratitude Journaling – listing 3-10 things I’m grateful for – is something that recently clicked for me as part of the Happiness in Leadership course.

Gratitude Journaling never really worked for me, because I saw it as feel good juice. At best it would make me feel better in the moment, which would through some nebulous process translate into long term happiness and success. At worst it would lull me into passivity by reassuring me that things are actually already good.

What clicked, is that Gratitude Journaling by focusing the mind on what works, provides a list of things to build upon. I am grateful that the city picked up the heavy trash on Monday afternoon, so I pick up a broom and clean all the small stuff around the trash can. In this form, gratitude journaling provides actionable advice towards improving my life long term.