Gratitude: If you're a leader––you need it.

There are only two types of people in the world today: leaders––and those who refuse. Let’s start with that. I don’t care if you’re the janitor or the CEO, if you’re willing to provide an example for others––if you inspire, empower or guide others in any way, you are a leader.

Since you’re a leader––you need gratitude. This is not optional.

And it’s not fluff.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been impressed or inspired by any of those flowery script memes about the niceties of gratitude. Having the “attitude of gratitude” is not enough and just being thankful is not the end––it’s the beginning. Practicing gratitude is one of the most powerful and practical processes for success and achievement.

Gratitude is an inventory.

It’s simple. Without gratitude your focus is on what you don’t have.

A scarcity mindset produces envy, jealousy and resentment. Not useful qualities of a leader.

Gratitude is the act of paying attention to what you have. It’s about taking stock of the material, emotional and spiritual resources you have on hand––no matter how much or how little.

You can start with a simple “gratitude practice.” I learned this technique when most people would have seen me as flat broke––and broken.

I discovered my gratitude practice when I first quit drugs. I readily admit I was feeling pretty sorry for myself and didn’t really think I had much to be thankful for. I was living in a dilapidated trailer decorated in duct tape and cardboard. I had no money. I was working a crappy job and my transportation was an un-inspectable, un-insurable VW bug.

But somehow I realized as bad as it was, I h