365 Days With Self-Discipline: 365 Life-Altering Thoughts on Self-Control, Mental Resilience, and Success

Day 124: On Daily Gratitude

The more you regularly experience gratitude, the more self-control you

have in various areas of your life.

—David DeSteno

 

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Research  suggests  that  daily  gratitude  boosts  self-control.  Researcher

David  DeSteno  says  that  expressing  gratitude  for  little  everyday  things,

such  as  the  kindness  of  a  stranger,  functions  like  a  vaccine  against

impulsiveness.  It  enhances  self-control  and  makes  you  more  oriented

toward the future.

In addition to boosting your self-control, expressing thankfulness daily

makes you a more positive person, and that in itself is a huge benefit that

can affect your ability to stick to your goals when the going gets tough.

Each morning or evening express gratitude for five small things. For

example,  I’m  now  sitting  outdoors  (one  thing  to  be  grateful  for  is  our

beautiful  planet),  enjoying  sunny  weather,  and  doing  work  I  like.  I’m

grateful  because  I  was  able  to  spend  a  few  hours  climbing  today  and

because (after I finish my work for the day) I’ll cook myself a tasty, healthy

meal.

Such  simple  things  are  what  makes  life  great.  Why  not  regularly

express your gratitude for them and become happier, develop more mental

resistance, reduce impulsiveness and gain more self-control?

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