@mbrewer
The Value of Gratitude Journaling: A Practice for a Happier Life
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Getting caught up in negative thoughts and feelings in an attention economy is easy. We can find ourselves dwelling on what we don’t have or what’s not going right in our lives, leading to dissatisfaction and unhappiness. However, research shows that cultivating gratitude can significantly impact our well-being. Let’s explore the value of gratitude journaling as a powerful tool for promoting a happier, more fulfilling life.
What is Gratitude Journaling?
Gratitude journaling is a practice that involves writing down the things we are thankful for regularly. This can be done in a physical journal, an online document, or a mobile app. The key is to take the time to reflect on the positive aspects of our lives, whether big or small and to write them down in a tangible way.
How Does Gratitude Journaling Benefit Us?
Gratitude journaling has been shown to have various positive effects on our well-being. For one, it can help increase our overall happiness and life satisfaction. By focusing on the good things in our lives, we can cultivate a sense of contentment and appreciation for what we have rather than constantly striving for more.
Additionally, gratitude journaling can improve our mental health by reducing feelings of anxiety and depression. Research has shown that gratitude practices can help shift our focus away from negative thoughts and emotions and promote a more optimistic outlook.
How to Start Gratitude Journaling
Starting a gratitude journaling practice is simple and can be done in just a few easy steps. First, set aside a specific time each day to reflect on what you are thankful for. This could be in the morning, before bed, or during a quiet moment in the middle of the day.
Next, choose a format for your journaling, whether a physical notebook or a digital platform. Take a few moments to think about your gratitude and write it down meaningfully. It could be a simple list, a few sentences, or even a longer reflection.
Finally, commit to making gratitude journaling a regular part of your routine. Over time, you may find that the practice becomes easier and more natural and that you start to notice more and more things to be grateful for in your life.
In Sum
Gratitude journaling is a simple yet powerful practice that can profoundly impact our well-being. By reflecting on the positive aspects of our lives and expressing gratitude for them, we can cultivate a greater sense of happiness, contentment, and fulfillment. So why not give it a try and start your gratitude journaling practice today?
Doing To Be Honest the Right Way
Catch this and let me know what you think. In the course of a recent conversation with a business owner I made the statement – “to be honest,” and before I could get anymore out of my mouth – he stopped me. He went on to suggest that by saying – to be honest- implied that I had the propensity to be dishonest.
I sat there stunned and thinking to myself – right (read: sarcastic self-talk). Great admonishment I thought. And despite my best effort to contain my verbal prowess, I said, “to be perfectly honest (which likely further implied my propensity to let the zingers fly), I disagree.” Yikes. Likely not the best line in that moment. At least not for making a new friend in the business world. In the same respect – to be interrupted and advised on a figure of speech that is as common place as “I” seemed completely misplaced.
What do you think? Heavy implications in the way of – window into the character of a person? Or, a little far-reaching?
Your to be honest (aka: I don’t really know but here is what I think) multifamily maniac,
M
What it’s all About
One of my absolute favorite things to do in the multifamily business is visit site teams. In my head, it’s what it’s all about. You’ve read it here a million times. Organizations are put in place to serve the people who serve it. And getting out to see the teams is front and center in that proposition.
There is an old axiom in real estate – location, location, location. I would posit a new axiom – people, people, people. For some it’s the tough stuff. The touchy feely soft side of business that you can’t capture on a spreadsheet. It is the part of the business that I love.
We manage a property in Edwardsville, Illinois called Cherry Hills. It’s made up of five unique properties ranging in size from 32 units up to 100 units. The market has been hit by overbuilding and lagging unemployment. It’s been really tough to say the least. But this team is all over it. They are getting their lemonade out of the lemons so to speak.
And, here is what I mean by that – love the simple stuff…
Apartment Motivation
Listening to Michael Tolcher tonight and thinking hard about a the lead stanza of his song – Sooner or Later. Under the premise of motivation – give this a read/listen:
Pull the hair back from your eyes
Let the people see your pretty face
Try not to say anything weird
Save your questions without answers
‘Til your old enough to know that things ain’t as they appeared
Before you go out in the sun
Cover your skin and don’t get burned
Beware the cancer, it might kill you when you’re old
Be first in line, raise your hand
Remember everything you hear
And playing in the rain is worth catching cold
Apartment Maniacs – The Point Is
The apartment management world is plenty full of people who will tell you what to do. And it is plenty full of people who will sit back and take it. Are you one of the sit back and wait for what people have to say kind? Are you one that learns the hard way. Or are you one of the try like hell, never sit still, over the top, drive everyone around you crazy to the point that they finally believe in the flavor of the punch you are drinking types?
The multifamily space is no different from any other business in the world. And odds are pretty good that the person tasked with leading you is no more sure of him or herself than you are. They just have a higher level of responsibility. But lead they will not if they don’t know what they are doing. It the best parts of those who think they are leading with no one following are only taking a walk kind of stuff.
I will never forget the day (thumb and first finger held millimeters away from each other) that I was that close to my supervisor having to make a tough call. A call that would have put me on the downside of my career. Why? He and I did not view the world the same way.It was the proverbial butting of heads. In his mind it was a defining moment. In mine – (youthful arrogance included) it was a wild waste of time.
Did I shift? No way on gods green earth. I knew in my heart of hearts what I was after. No deviation. No compromise. And no chance did I run down a road that I didn’t believe in.
What happened? We took 750+ units to 98.8% occupancy and less than 2 percent left to lease. And rent bumps of $100+ in some cases. Some would posit that the economy took over and I would posit back that someone had to lead the team.
Now I am under no illusion that I did that myself. But what I’m aware of is that I was relentless in drawing that team together under a premise that was larger than all of us combined. And they believed it. What I smile about to this day is that the other guy didn’t.
That Guy
He was that guy in Michael’s song that worried about me saying something weird or not putting my sunblock on before I went outside.
My lead for him and for you – playing in the rain is worth getting wet! Do it often Do it tomorrow.
Make this year your #gameon year – exclamation points included (for those that rest on the proper use of such endings – a life based on emotion and expressing is it liberating)!
Your encouraging and granting you permission to speak freely multifamily maniac,
M
We Care
How can we show that – We Care:
1. Sweep your crib lines – every curb line
2. Paint your curbs – all cribs that have or need paint
3. Blow off your sidewalks and entry ways daily – all sidewalks
4. Power wash sidewalks and entry ways weekly – except in the winter months where there is a chance for freezing (don’t want to create a slip and fall situation)
5. Vacuum all common area carpets daily
6. Use smell good stuff in the common areas – daily
7. Conduct a ‘road map’ meeting every morning
8. Answer on the third ring – every time
9. Stand and greet everyone – vendors included
10. Smile
Your remembering that the smallest details have the biggest impacts multifamily maniac,
M
