Today is the first day of November, the national month of gratitude, which makes it the perfect time to start a gratitude practice. And yes, I have a bit of a man-crush on gratitude, and I’m not even embarrassed about it.
Why Thanksgiving Is My Favorite Holiday
Let’s start with the obvious: Thanksgiving is the best holiday. Great food, family, and football, all crammed into one day. What could be better?
It’s also not a giant candy-and-decorations holiday. I’m not a decoration grinch, and I certainly have nothing against candy, but it’s nice to have one major holiday that isn’t totally commercialized, where we can simply focus on the reason for the season. Of course, that peace lasts about twenty-four hours, because Black Friday shows up the very next morning to make us forget everything we have to be grateful for and go buy more crap we don’t need.
But the part I love most is the focus on gratitude. I practice gratitude every single day, and it’s one of the biggest reasons I stay grounded. In the good times, it keeps me humble by reminding me how many people helped me get where I am. In the rough times, it reminds me that life is so much bigger than this particular setback.
When Gratitude Gets Hard
This year has been rough for our family. My oldest son has been battling a severe infection, with several hospitalizations and months on antibiotics. Many days, it was hard to feel grateful while watching him suffer. At the same time, I recognize his situation could be a lot worse.
Here’s what I know for sure: if gratitude hadn’t already been part of my daily routine, this past year would have been much harder. A gratitude practice is something you build in the easy seasons so it can hold you up in the hard ones.
What Is a Gratitude Practice, Really?
There’s no right or wrong way to be grateful. At its heart, a gratitude practice is simply a daily reflection on what you’re thankful for. It doesn’t have to be big or heady. Small things absolutely count. Let’s be honest, it’s often the small things that bug us the most, so why not give the small stuff some credit too?
Here’s a peek at my list as we head into November:
- A wife and kids who put up with my corny jokes and silliness
- The text thread with my best friends that entertains me every single day
- Cooler temperatures and fall colors
- The new ham radio setup in my truck
- My Audible membership
- The sound of the leaves crunching under my feet on a trail run
- The progress I’ve made in my business this past year
- A day job that “makes me” go to concerts
- My oldest son’s health, which appears to be improving
- Getting to see my youngest son, who’s away at college, over Thanksgiving
And so much more. Notice the range, from my family to a radio in my truck. No gratitude is too small or too nerdy to make the list.
How to Practice Gratitude Without Overcomplicating It
If you’re wondering how to practice gratitude, start by writing it down. Recording what you’re grateful for lets you look back on the days when it doesn’t seem like there’s much to be thankful for. Your own words become proof.
I keep a gratitude journal in a plain old notebook. There’s something about physically writing things down that helps me remember and appreciate them a bit more. But a note on your phone or a Google doc works just as well. And in the Wholistic Productivity Planner, every daily page has a spot for gratitude, so it’s built right into your routine.
Don’t make it complicated. Just start noticing everything you have to be grateful for.
Share Your Daily Gratitude (and Try the November Challenge)
Here’s the other thing that makes gratitude real: sharing it with others. I know that can be hard to do without feeling like you’re bragging. But I want to celebrate with you, so this month, I’d love to hear what you’re grateful for. Send me a DM on Instagram, Threads, or Substack, or leave a note through the contact form on my website.
Here’s your challenge. See how many days in November you can practice daily gratitude. Then, at the end of the month, take a look at what kind of difference it made in your life. I’d definitely love to hear about that too. I’ll be sharing my full list of what I’m grateful for on social media all month long.
Want a simple way to start each week with intention, so gratitude has a spot on your calendar and not just in your heart? Sign up for my weekly newsletter and download my Sunday Strategy™ worksheet and guide – your gift for joining my newsletter. It’s all completely free and I’ll never share or sell your contact information.