Practicing gratitude every day can make you feel more motivated to take on life and its challenges. It can give you the intrinsic motivation you need to do great things.
Some people have the mistaken idea that gratitude causes us to be complacent - that we would feel satisfied to stay right where we are without any changes. In reality, gratitude fosters a feeling of obligation and connectedness with others. When we receive an act of kindness, we tend to feel indebted to others. Getting good things without giving back to the world makes us feel uncomfortable. As a result, we form a desire to do good back to other people. Gratitude pushes us to go beyond our usual self. It motivates us to exert even more effort to give back to the world.
Gratitude also has many indirect effects on our motivation. For one, it enables us to form deep relationships with others. This close bond makes it easier for us to collaborate. It reduces the friction we encounter when working together. Gratitude also shifts our perspective. When we feel thankful for the good things in our lives, we are less likely to be bogged down by negative thinking. We have a higher chance of spotting great opportunities around us.
Gratitude is an essential part of being motivated to live out your life. Without it, life would feel like a chore.