Ingratitude leaves you feeling small, blind, anxious, and resentful. It corrupts the past, present, and future.
The life you don’t want waits behind an unthankful heart.
#1. Past
The past is distorted by rehearsing injuries. Those lacking gratitude fixate on unmet expectations.
Ingrates forget the kindness of others. People who help, forgive, and open doors. Blindness to kindness exposes arrogance.
#2. Present
The present turns toxic when you ignore good. Gifts become entitlements.
Unthankful leaders stumble over opportunities. When you focus on what’s missing you can’t see what’s possible.
#3. Future
Ingratitude scoffs at progress and obsesses over lack. It tells others they’re losers. They’re never good enough. They can’t be trusted. They give up.
Unthankful leaders see a dark, scary future.
Cleanse 3 Toxic Practices
- Rehearsing hurts.
- Overlooking good.
- Expecting disappointment.
3 Simple Ways to Cleanse Ingratitude
Everything is easier with gratitude.
#1. Accept ungratefulness.
Fake it till you make it might get you moving, but denial traps you.
Write an “Ungrateful List.” Don’t debate it. Just write it. Make it long. Free your mind to focus on other things. Start now.
#2. Focus on YOUR responsibilities.
When the source of ingratitude is within your control, do something about it.
When it’s out of your control, let it go. (You’ll be letting go a lot.)
#3. Express gratitude.
Don’t pretend you’re grateful.
Don’t wait to feel it. Practice it.
- “I’m thankful we have room to improve.”
- “I’m thankful to learn about this problem before it gets worse.”
- “I’m thankful for the talented people on our team.”
You can’t thrive in leadership until you cleanse ingratitude. Gratitude isn’t decoration. It’s direction.
Don’t wait for a perfect life to be grateful.
What’s on your gratitude list?
What’s on your ingratitude list?
How Gratitude Transforms Burden to Opportunity
