How to Be More Appreciative

Last Updated: September 25, 2021

We live in a world full of abundance. Most of us have access to everything we need and much of what we desire. Yet many people are very dissatisfied with their lives. Instead of getting into the never ending cycle of always wanting more and being critical of everyone, try a little gratitude.

1

Start saying thank you for everything.

Be thankful for time, gifts, service rendered, assistance, kind words, everything.
- Remember: what you seek is what you'll find! Try to highlight the positive things in your life instead of the negative ones.^{[1]
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  Expert Source
  
  Taylor Rochestie
  Professional Basketball Player
  Expert Interview. 13 July 2021.}

2

Make a list of things and people you appreciate.

Make a conscious effort to regularly show your appreciation for them. Add something new to this list everyday.

3

Volunteer.

Spend time at your local elementary school, library, homeless shelter, soup kitchen, nursing home, or hospital. Give blood, be a mentor, clean up your neighborhood park. Just do something that is for anyone but yourself on a regular basis.

4

If you're lucky enough to have electricity and indoor plumbing, try to do without it for one full day.

No cheating, you still have to find a way to do laundry, cook and clean.

5

If you regularly go out to eat or have help around the house, try to spend one week doing it all for yourself.

Next time a waiter brings you a basket of bread that you had to wait a couple extra minutes for, you will feel more grateful and appreciate the work it took to get it to you.

6

If you have your own personal transportation, or live on a bus route, try walking everywhere for a few days.

After this experience you will start appreciating your own vehicle more.

7

If you find yourself being overly critical of people around you, make a mental list of their good qualities.

Think of the things they do that you appreciate (i.e. maybe your boss is not always nice, but he pays you enough to keep food on your table and most likely enough to afford many luxuries).

Expert Q&A

Question

How can you develop an attitude of gratitude?

Taylor Rochestie
Professional Basketball Player
Taylor Rochestie is a Professional Basketball Player, Author, and Speaker. Having lived in 12 countries, immersing himself in local cultures and learning about the diversity of life, Taylor offers a unique perspective through his book, "A New 20/20 Vision: Cultivate Joy, Reprogram Your Mind, and Define Life Through an Authentic Lens." He also has over 11 years of professional basketball experience with the Israel Basketball Premier League and the Montenegro men's national basketball team.

Taylor Rochestie

Professional Basketball Player

Expert Answer

A great thing to have is an endless thankfulness type of mentality. Negativity and positivity don't happen in a vacuum. So, when you're dealing with negative things, there are positive things around you. Remember that and try to think on the things that you are thankful for!
Question

What causes a lack of gratitude?

Taylor Rochestie
Professional Basketball Player
Taylor Rochestie is a Professional Basketball Player, Author, and Speaker. Having lived in 12 countries, immersing himself in local cultures and learning about the diversity of life, Taylor offers a unique perspective through his book, "A New 20/20 Vision: Cultivate Joy, Reprogram Your Mind, and Define Life Through an Authentic Lens." He also has over 11 years of professional basketball experience with the Israel Basketball Premier League and the Montenegro men's national basketball team.

Taylor Rochestie

Professional Basketball Player

Expert Answer

Most of the time, people define happiness as being successful, relating success and happiness in the same sentence. I try to redefine that through a different sentence: "I'm on the pursuit of success through happiness, not on the pursuit of happiness through success." That should change your mindset and the way you look at each thing that you're bringing into your life.