Attitude Shaping and Shifting: Appreciation Lists

What are your favorite things? Who are the people, places, experiences, and things you appreciate? There is no better way to reshape your perspective on life than to regularly sit down and list the things you value. Sometimes I do this on 3x5 cards at odd moments in a restaurant. Sometimes I use a 8 1/2 x 11 writing pad on the air plane. The discipline of committing these things to paper seems to have more impact on my attitude and outlook than just going over them in my mind. Maybe even put them in a media like our You Tube friend did.

There is a tendency in human nature to look for what’s missing. This is valuable also and that’s where our goals come from. But an excessive focus on what’s missing is a sure recipe for unhappiness. After a time of great loss it’s natural to obsess on what’s missing for a season. Don’t worry about that too much unless you get stuck there for a prolonged period. In those cases, counseling may be helpful to get you moving through the grief process.

Here is a partial list I wrote on a recent plane trip:

My Faith
Susy, my wife
My mom and dad
My 102 year old grandmother
My extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, step children, and in-laws
My church family and pastor
My friendships all over the United States
USA… Is this a great country or what?
The company that employed me for 15 years
My boss for the last 8 years
Sammy, my Labrador Retriever
Starbucks…. Especially the Green Tea Frappacino and the ambiance
Our house
My library of books
Zip lining in Kauai
Barnes and Noble…. Borders… any bookstore…. New or used
USA Today
Maui Jim Sunglasses
Guacamole with Pico de Gallo
My morning coffee with flaxseed and flavored creamer
Fuggazi (Local Restaurant) especially the Tostada Pizza
California Pizza Kitchen …. Everything
Chipotle …. The burrito bowl
Hang gliding off Look Out Mountain
Pilot G2 Mini Pens
Moleskine for jotting down ideas
3x5 Cards
Movies with popcorn, candy, and soda
Black graphic tees
Zippered Hoodies
Roller Coasters
Flip Flops
Levi 504’s
Google
Blogger and writing
Nike Free Styles
Costco
Target
Almonds and Cranberries all mixed up
Nascar ride at 165 mph
Room and Board Home Furnishings
Business Animals… my stuffed animal collection of business mascots
Crème de mint Altoid Breath Fresheners
Dentyne Ice Chewing Gum
Blackberry
Indoor skydiving
Hampton Inns
Apple Store
Apple and Peanut Butter
Walking mainstreet… especially with Susy
Classic Rock
Lifestyle Fitness Center
PF Chang Lettuce Wraps
Barbeque
My Ipod

From a Servant Selling perspective you might also list your customers and clients. Consider making a list now of the people you have sold products or services to. You might also send them a note of appreciation letting them know how much you value them and their business.