CAMERON WESTLAND

My Corner of the Web

Embracing Gratitude: My Morning Journal Ritual for Startup Success

Date:

Hello, everyone! Today I'd like to share a personal practice that keeps me grounded amidst the busy world of startups. If you're involved in a high-stakes venture, you know that staying focused, positive, and resilient is critical to navigating the challenges we face every day. That's where my gratitude journal comes in.

Every morning, I set aside 10 minutes to jot down ten things I'm grateful for. This simple ritual has become an essential part of my daily routine. Taking a few moments to reflect helps me feel centered and grateful, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day.

Sometimes my day takes a rough turn, or I feel overwhelmed, and upon reflection, I often realize that I've skipped my gratitude journal that morning. It's interesting how such a small, daily practice can make a noticeable difference in my day.

Occasionally, coming up with things to be grateful for can be challenging. When that happens, I switch to "basic mode" and focus on the essentials. For instance, I'll write "Canada" because I'm genuinely grateful to live in a country with many privileges. Or how fortunate I am not to have visited the hospital with one of my children that day. These simple expressions of gratitude have a way of immediately altering my mindset for the better.

When I've finished those 10 minutes of reflection, I often have a renewed sense of purpose and positivity. I can feel the gratitude welling inside me, boosting motivation for the day ahead.

I've known about gratitude journalling for a long time, but the the book that inspired me to actually put it into this practice is Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall in Love with the Process of Becoming Great. I highly recommend checking it out if you still need to read it! It's a game-changer.

My daily gratitude journal ritual has proven to be a small commitment with a significant impact. If you want to stay grounded and maintain a positive mindset in a challenging environment, please try it. You might find it the secret ingredient that helps you tackle those startup challenges with grace and gratitude. Happy journaling!

Sincerely,

Cameron