Simple Ways to Access the Power of Gratitude in Your Business

The practice of gratitude as a tool for happiness has been in the mainstream for years. Long-term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positive, appreciative attitude contributes to greater success in work, greater health, peak performance in sports and business, a higher sense of well-being, and a faster rate of recovery from surgery.

But while we may acknowledge gratitude’s many benefits, it still can be difficult to sustain. So many of us are trained to notice what is broken, undone or lacking in our lives. "I need more clients." "I need to make more money." "I should be farther along in my business."


And for gratitude to meet its full healing potential in our lives and have a positive impact in our business, it needs to become more than just a seasonal word or something that we feel when things are going our way. We have to learn a new way of looking at all things and create new habits. And that can take some time.

That’s why practicing gratitude makes so much sense. When we practice giving thanks for all we have in our life and our experiences in creating the business we desire, instead of complaining about what we lack, we give ourselves the chance to see all of life as an opportunity and a blessing.

Remember that gratitude isn’t a blindly optimistic approach in which the bad things in life are whitewashed or ignored. It’s more a matter of where we put our focus, energy, and attention. Setbacks and struggles exist as we grow to new levels of our business, but when we focus on the gifts, we gain a feeling of well-being. Gratitude balances us and gives us hope.

There are many things to be grateful for: the beauty of colorful flowers, friends who listen, colleagues who are supportive and constantly give encouragement, a cool breeze on a warm day, dinner each evening with loved ones, our health. What’s on your list?

Some Ways to Practice Gratitude

1. Keep a gratitude journal in which you list things for which you are thankful. You can make daily, weekly or monthly lists. Greater frequency may be better for creating a new habit, but just keeping that journal where you can see it will remind you to think in a grateful way.

2. Make a gratitude collage with pictures from magazines. Collect words and images that make you feel good and those images you want to surround yourself with as a reminder of all the things for which you give thanks.

3. Practice gratitude around the dinner table or make it part of your nighttime routine.

4. Find fun in discovering the hidden blessing in a challenging situation. You can do this for yourself as well as with your clients. It's so easy to get stuck thinking about what's wrong with a situation and by seeing the blessing helps to move us forward faster.

5. When you feel like complaining, make a gratitude list instead. You may be amazed by how much better you feel.

6. Notice how gratitude is impacting your life. Write about it, sing about it, express thanks for gratitude.

As you practice, an inner shift begins to occur, and you'll find that gratitude thoughts easily pop up without you even having to try. It becomes a natural part of your day and a natural part of who you are and when you deeply feel this, you attract more of it in all areas of your life, including your business.
Author’s content used under license, © 2011 Claire Communications

Known for her creativity, gentle disposition, enthusiasm, and passion, Lisa Hromada is a leading Personal Branding Strategist and Authentic Marketing Coach who specializes in empowering women entrepreneurs to find the clarity and focus they need to create a thriving brand while still having the time and energy to enjoy their other priorities. Find Lisa's FREE gifts and more at: http://www.lisahromada.com/bizsuccess

Unlock Your Powerful, Instantly Recognizable Personal Brand

What's your brand excellence?

What is my personal brand anyway?

I speak a lot on branding and this question comes up almost every time...and for good reason.

Branding can be defined in many ways and the term 'brand' is often confusing for people because there are many elements that make up a brand and it can be difficult to pinpoint what a 'brand' really is.

A 'brand' is essentially how something is known; it is a unique promise of value.

Example:

When we think about Apple Computers, what words and qualities pop up in our minds? How do we know Apple? Perhaps words come up like 'innovation,' 'creativity,' and 'high-quality?' Over time, Apple has built a reputation through the corporation's marketing and through people's experiences with their products—so, this is how they are branded.

So for Apple, they set themselves apart from others in their industry by expressing their unique promise of continually creating the latest, cutting-edge technology to meet the needs of their creative worldly audience.

So, how are YOU known? What makes up your personal brand?

Personal branding for entrepreneurs is really about developing the whole core of the personality of your business in ways that honor your unique style of making a difference—because branding is of course more than just graphics and words.

And to really take your business to the next level, you need to get really clear about who you are as a brand, the powerful results you provide and be able to successfully communicate that with those people who you help through your work.

So, to begin unlocking your powerful, instantly recognizable presence within you that's part of what makes you known and part of what makes up your personal brand, starts with connecting with the core of who you are and one of the methods I use to do that is by helping people tap into your brand archetypes.

Brand Archetypes

Your brand archetypes are what capture the spirit, personality and passion of you and what you do, giving you the freedom and permission to integrate your authentic personality into your marketing, which helps to develop your personal brand.

Knowing what your brand archetypes are is going to help you to fully step into your true role as the leader of your business and the tremendous value that you provide for your clients.

Here's a story to help you see how you can make major shifts when you're clear on your brand archetypes and using what makes you incredible to get better results in your business.

Jan, Explorer/Alchemist

Sample Success Story - Jan

(See Jan's story and other success stories at http://www.brandbreakthroughsecrets.com)

Jan is an exceptional coach and experienced entrepreneur of multiple, successful businesses throughout the years.

Yet, when I first met her, she had not yet fully tapped into the value, experience and expertise she provides to her clients and this undervaluing showed up in many ways—from not charging the full worth of the transformations she helps people to achieve to telling herself, “who am I to offer this or charge that?”

Here's where Jan was at before. 

“I honestly didn't believe that what I had was of value. Clients had raved about my work, my entire 6-figure income business was built on referrals, yet somehow I missed the piece that I was offering something of incredible value. Kind of like not seeing the white elephant in the middle of the room.”

So, for Jan, her primary archetype is the Explorer and the archetype that influences how she does her work is an Alchemist. And for each one of the brand archetypes—there are 12—they each have their own meaning, personality, values, likes and dislikes, strengths, sense of purpose, and calling.

So for Jan, what knowing this meant for her is the ability to not just create good copy writing by using many of the words that are on the archetype cards, but it really captured the essence of who she is.

How Jan expresses the shift that happened for her...

“I realize now that I'm a pioneer, carving new paths for entrepreneurs and I am not conforming in any way, shape or form. Knowing my archetype somehow gave me full permission to be who I am AND to be able to market that without hesitation.”

I now understand that what I offer to my clients is completely life-changing and I will save them thousands, if not tens of thousands in dollars, because I know way more than I realized I did. It feels so amazing and that confidence is now oozing out to my clients.”

I just love how that shift happens for people when they realize how incredible they are and bring that excellence into their work and are able to more clearly express who they are as a brand to get results.

So, here's one action you can take today to begin unlocking your powerful, instantly recognizable personal brand: Ask yourself and write down answers to the following question: “What are the characteristics, qualities, and values that I bring to my work that attract and inspire people to hire me and refer me to their friends and colleagues?”

I'd love to hear your answers! Be sure you share them below in the comment area.

Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved

To learn more about discovering your brand archetypes and start getting better results through your marketing, visit: http://www.brandbreakthroughsecrets.com

If you would like to use this article on your blog or website, feel free as long as you include the following author information:

Known for her creativity, gentle disposition, enthusiasm, and passion, Lisa Hromada is a leading Personal Branding Strategist and Authentic Marketing Coach who specializes in empowering women entrepreneurs to manage their time and find the clarity and focus they need to create a thriving business while still having the time and energy to enjoy their other priorities. Find Lisa's FREE gifts and more at: http://www.lisahromada.com/bizsuccess