Most of us are grateful people. You likely wouldn’t be reading this if you are someone who never says “thank you” or is full of negativity and doom-and-gloom.

But, are you Living in Extreme Gratitude? Hint: this is different from other gratitude practices.

And, what on earth does that even mean?

Chapter 3 of Secrets to Authentic Happiness details this concept and includes the neuroscience to prove that we can rewire our brains toward positivity and joy.

The list of health benefits of living a grateful life are extensive as well. If you don’t have the book, I highly recommend it. 😉Grab it here.

The first trial of Living in Extreme Gratitude began last year with the Gratitude Challenge. Some of you were there! It was 5 days of learning and deciding on a new way to live! Since this time, many of you have told me that you are still writing down your gratitudes.

One of my favorite comments was expressed in frustration: “Rachel, do you realize that I have been spending time each day trying to figure out what I am grateful for so I can have something to write down each night!”

She was Gratitude Hunting and didn’t even know it! And what a wonderful way to spend moments throughout the day.

Let’s get to the tactical part of Living in Extreme Gratitude. The LIV Inspired Blog will be giving you a tactical approach to better living each Monday. However, none of this inspired living will work if you don’t get moving and take action. Each week you’ll get a WHY and a WHAT. You need to decide on the WHEN and DO IT! And, I would love to know if you are taking these steps. I love to hear from you!

Ok, here we go!

Here’s the why:

1. Using this method of living gratitude allows you to get out of a negative mind (our normal default state).

2. This method retrains your mind to search for what is good (a new default! Yes!!!).

3. This method seems to create a solution-focused mind versus problem focused mind.

4. There are a host of health benefits to living a grateful life including: lower blood pressure, less inflammation, better sleep, and less symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Here is the what:

1. You decide whether morning or evening will be the time you consistently grab your notebook and physically write these down.

2. Place the notebook where you will see it. (For example, morning: bedside table next to your alarm clock/ evening: place it on your pillow so you have to move it to get into bed.)

3. Set a timer for 5 minutes (longer is ok too).

4. Write 1-3 things that you are grateful for on this day. (If you have the Secrets to Authentic Happiness Daily Journal, you will see lines under each day where you can write these!)

5.Heres the secret sauce and what makes this practice different: each day, these things should be different. You need to dig deep and find aspects of the things you list each day so you begin to create these new and empowering brain pathways! For example: instead of saying that you are grateful for your children each day, one day can be “their smile,” “their laugh,” “their kindness,” “how difficult they were today so that I could practice my patience.”

Do you see? It’s the same thing, but expressed differently.

Ok, now it is time to get moving on this. Start today. By Thanksgiving Day you will already have your list and new practice started.

It’s time for some brain rewiring.

I don’t know about you but I am just so thrilled and THANKFUL that I am able to change my negative mind!!!

The ONE single practice has made a HUGE impact on my personal life and Hunter and I are doing this together each night. Watch him here.

Get moving and send me a message and let me know if you plan to start. Remember, I am on your team and want to see you living an inspired life. You don’t have time to waste.

Start now. You have been gifted this One. Precious. Life.

Oh, and I am SUPER grateful for you! I am grateful that you read this article. You are amazing and I wouldn’t be spending time writing this for you if I didn’t know in my soul that you were designed for an amazing life full of purpose, meaning, love, and joy.

You matter, my friend.

So much love,

Rachel

Need more help with rebooting your brain and body? I can help. As a Strategic Intervention Life Coach and Registered Nurse, I work with people 1:1 to find better health: mind, body, and soul! Better health doesn’t mean only diet and exercise, it can mean creating better boundaries, getting your schedule under control, learning to let go of resentments, getting through hard challenges, having more patience with your kids, and SO MUCH MORE. If you are curious about what life coaching is all about, send an email here and we can chat. What are you waiting for? A better life is entirely possible!