One of the huge advantages of a daily show is that themes come up over and over again. This doesn’t mean they get boring or redundant, but that they start to become part of our psyche. Additionally, we begin to see what’s truly important to all the experts, or universal truths we can all learn from.

One of the simplest, and most frequently mentioned is gratitude.

Shawn Achor, the positivity expert from Harvard and on Oprah—he’s even mentored the White House, shares how it’s the greatest way to wire our minds for happiness.

Bob Proctor of The Secret shares how it’s the most powerful way to bring about whatever we desire.

Robin Sharma, author of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari would say along with helping others, it’s the most important thing we can do for our success.

Personally, exercises in gratitude have been probably the #1 way I’ve worked to rewire my mind, get more positive, more focused, and relaxed, even during crazy times.

For gratitude acts as an anchor.

When I’m in a place of gratitude, or can remember things to be grateful for, I don’t react or over-react, and I keep my stress levels down.

For instance, it’s hard to fight with a loved one, or stay angry with someone you care about, when you can remember all the reasons you’re thankful for them in your life.

So what’s the simplest way to reprogram your mind or spring-load your day with gratitude? When you get up, simply think of 3-5 five things, preferably NEW ones that you’re grateful for. Ideally you’d journal them, physically putting pen to paper, kinesthetically programs them into our mind.

For myself, I do this first thing in the morning, before my feet hit the ground, I won’t let myself out of bed without listing a few things to be grateful for. It’s become a powerful habit, or ‘micro-habit’ as UC Berkeley’s happiness expert Dr. Christine Carter calls it.

She talks about these micro-habits being essential for our happiness and success. When done regularly, we don’t even need to think about it. We wake up, stretch, go to roll out of bed, and scan the world for things to be grateful for.

And that’s where the magic happens…When we’re scanning for things to be grateful for, we’re more present, in the moment, and happy about the world around us.

Perhaps more importantly, we’re carving new grooves in the record of our mind, to continuously scan the world for the positives. And what we look for, we find!!!

Add this powerful micro-habit to your morning, and each day, look for a few new things to be grateful for. Commit to it for 30 days if you can…just write down 3-5 things each morning, then see how your day feels.

I’ll call it a 30 day Gratitude Challenge. The gauntlet’s been dropped. Have fun with it!

Oh, lastly, never pick on yourself if you can’t, don’t or choose not to get something done. Self-love and non-judgment are ALWAYS where the party’s at, for you’re great just as you are…even if you could use some tweaking. So take all the advice you ever get, and treat yourself with love!

I wish you the most beautiful, fantastic, new day ahead, filled with love, gratitude, and light!

Keep on Shining Bright!!!

Michael