Ep. 5: What is Gratitude vs. Affirmation?

Bruce LundBlog, Podcast, Solopreneur Movement

What do you think works better… Gratitude or Affirmations?

I was resistant to gratitudes last year because I thought it was the corny “feel good movement.”

But life is about trying new things, and when the most successful people in the world do certain things… might as well test it out! 

The subconscious mind is so powerful and I talk a lot about protecting your self-confidence daily and the gratitude and affirmations increased my confidence dramatically!

In today’s topic of discussion I go over:
1) What’s the difference between affirmations and gratitude
2) What’s the SCIENCE behind why they work
3) How to build into your daily routines and habits

Gratitude and affirmations don’t just work right away, they are both skill based and take practice every day just like working out or business.

Part I: Gratitude vs. Affirmation

Gratitude = the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. “she expressed her gratitude to the committee for their support”

  • I’m not yet where I WANT to be but thank goodness I’m not where I once was.
  • I GET to vs. I “have” to
  • Opportunity vs. obligation

Affirmation = the action or process of affirming something or being affirmed.

  • It’s not a matter of “if” but a matter of WHEN I make it
  • I’m one CALL or CONVERSATION away from a major breakthrough
  • I am a successful person. I am just as good at what I do as anyone else.
  • It’s my DUTY to fight to earn business.

Part II: The SCIENCE behind gratitude

  • Gratitude makes us happy… but it takes several months because:
  • Cultivating gratitude is a skill. Ability to “self-generate” feelings of gratitude on command.
  • Gratitude is a personality trait. Some people have more grateful personalities.
  • Gratitude makes us HEALTHIER
  • Exercise more. Don’t get sick as often. Sleep better.
  • Gratitude makes people LIKE us…
  • Nicer, more trusting, more social, and more appreciative. Deeper relationships…

Part III: Celebrate Success

Schedule Gratitude Time:

  • Schedule 10 mins in the morning and before you go bed to journal
    • Reach out to friends/family
    • Reach out to favorite people in business
    • Spend time self-loving or repeating affirmations in the mirror
  • Schedule 30-mins on weekends to think BIGGER (marketing)

How to celebrate Success:

  • Largest gap in the world is the execution gap (actual 1 vs. actual 2 and how to measure)
  • I’m not yet where I want to be but thank goodness I’m not where I once was
  • Stay focused on the PROGRESS over perfection
  • It’s not a matter of IF but a matter of WHEN I’m going to make it
  • Celebrate your FRIENDS success
    • In order for you to “win” someone else doesn’t have to lose
    • What’s the first thought that goes through your head when someone else has success? Are you mad that you didn’t have it or happy for them?

Happiness isn’t a Destination

Success and happiness isn’t a “destination” that you arrive at. A lot of people believe if they can just get “this, this, and this” THEN they’ll be happy. This is called the arrival fallacy. Happiness is internal. And needs to be worked on every day.

So enjoy the ride, be thankful of what you DO have, and thank all the wonderful people in your life for it. But also TAKE OWNERSHIP of your life in all areas.