Provision #645: The Power of
Appreciation
by Bob Tschannen-Moran
LifeTrek Laser Provision
What have we learned about appreciation in the past fourteen weeks? There are two ways to find out. One would be to go back and read each of the past fourteen
issues in the
Provision Archive on our website. The other would be to read this one
Provision which reviews and summarizes them all. Why not let me do that work for
you! Scroll down to read in one fell swoop how you can put the power of
appreciation to work for you.
LifeTrek Provision
It is both interesting and wonderful that my series on the power of appreciation
has run its course and wraps up today, the Sunday of the long Thanksgiving
holiday weekend in the United States. Thanksgiving. Gratitude. Appreciation.
Wonder. They all go hand in hand, representing different aspects of the same
generative energy we have been writing about since last August. Like all our
Provision series, you can read every past issue in the
Provision Archive on our website.
Just in case you missed an issue in this series, however, I went back through them to
capture the main points in highlight form. I seldom know what those points will
be in advance of writing my series. They just kind of emerge and take on a life
of their own. So I enjoy these summaries as much as anyone else. I hope you will
take away a few points that can make a difference in your life today and stay
with you over time. The power of appreciation is not a last resort; it's a
lifestyle one cultivates and embodies on a daily basis. I hope you join the
quest to make it so.
1. Appreciation Appreciates. By definition, what we focus on gets more of
our attention. If we focus on problems, what's wrong, and what we don't like,
then that will get more of our attention. That's the way the world will be for
us. If we focus on possibilities, what's right, and what we do like, then that will
get more of our attention and that will be the way the world is for us. What we
appreciate, appreciates. So what kind of world do you want to live in? I, for
one, choose life. That's where I put my attention and I enjoy the way it grows.
2. Frame the Positive. It's easy for the positive to go by unnoticed.
That's partly because of the "squeaky-wheel" phenomenon: pain and problems speak
loudly and carry a big stick. It's easy to forget all about the good stuff.
Appreciative people, however, do not succumb to this temptation. We look for,
celebrate, and frame the positive no matter what. Do you want to learn how to do that
for yourself? Carry a camera. When we look for things to photograph, we
naturally seek to frame the positive. It works every time; it cultivates the
appreciative eye that makes all the difference in life.
3. Reframe the Negative. So what do we do with all those pains and
problems that speak loudly and carry a big stick? The power of appreciation does not
suggest that we ignore them or pretend they don't exist. Appreciation is not a
Pollyanna approach to life. Even as we work on them, however, it's possible to
keep them in perspective by noticing what else there is to celebrate. In every
situation, no matter how bleak and barren, something always works that we can
leverage, build on, and appreciate. From optimistic vantage points we can
reframe and even transform the negative.
4. Play With Possibilities. Research documents that we see more
possibilities when we're feeling positive. That's not exactly breaking news.
When we feel good, we're more open and receptive to new approaches and
directions in life and work. But did you know it works the other way around as
well? If we're feeling discouraged, troubled, constricted, and negative, we can
shift our attitude by playing with possibilities. The mere consideration of
alternatives is enough to put us on the right path. We may have to "fake it
until we make it," but brainstorming possibilities is a great way to feel better
and move forward.
5. Broaden Your Focus. It can be hard to play with possibilities in the
thick of the fray; that's when it's time to step back and look the situation
over from a distance. Viewed from the right vantage point, opportunities become
visible in ways that might be otherwise unimaginable. When we unplug from the
daily grind, stepping back to the 10,000 foot level, we can better appreciate
our strategic advantages and better maintain our positive attitude. When
broadening our focus generates positive energy and emotion, our zest for life
returns and our engagement becomes much more productive.
6. Narrow Your Focus. Ironically, we can accomplish the exact same thing
by zeroing in on and paying attention to whatever is in front of us directly.
Like a horse wearing blinders, we can exclude peripheral distractions in order
to embrace mindful engagement. By setting aside those worrisome, nay-saying
voices, and by focusing on whatever is going on in the present moment that we
can learn from, influence, and play with, we calm down and become more willing
and able to live our lives the best we can.
7. Deepen Your Focus. There's at least one more way to focus our
attention. In addition to stepping back and zooming in, we can also go deep.
This is where we learn to appreciate the wonder of life, no matter what. We can
connect with its deep mystery and get lost in its magical unity. If those
notions sound rather lofty and poetic, that's because they are. To see the inner
wisdom of life is to go beyond surface level descriptions as to whether things
are working or not. It is to appreciate the perfection of life, even when life is
obviously not perfect. That may not be easy, but it makes a huge difference
whenever we are able to come from that place.
8. The Gratitude Gain. When I'm running a marathon, I like to thank the
spectators. I don't just mean in my mind; I mean vocally, with a "High Five,"
and a smile. Connecting in this way with a young child buoys my spirit and gives
me strength. It takes my mind off the challenge of the race and puts my mind on
the collective will to see it through to the end. I've never not finished a
marathon, and I think it has to do with the gratitude gain. Such appreciation
gives me a boost in running as well as in any other endeavor. Don't just feel
gratitude -- let it out and watch it work.
9. The Novelty Nudge. It's great to look around and notice something
wonderful, but gratitude is not the only way to put the power of appreciation to
work. We can also look around and notice something new. Most of the time, we go
through life on autopilot. We see what we've always seen and what we expect to
see. There's no way to change that, but we can interrupt the pattern by
intentionally noticing novelty. New things surprise, confound, teach, uplift,
confuse, challenge, and disorient us. And that's just for starters. If we
suspend the urge to judge and evaluate those things, if we become more mindful
and curious, there's no telling what things we will learn to appreciate.
10. The Help of Hope. In addition to gratitude and novelty, hope plays a
major role when it comes to the power of appreciation. In the absence of hope,
the spirit dies. In the presence of hope, the spirit thrives. We become more
confident and competent in life and work. The key, then is to define a winnable
game so that we can throw ourselves into life with enthusiasm. That is always
possible to do, no matter what situation we may find ourselves in. It may take
major tweaking, but there's no substitute for cultivating the hope that
everything is going to be all right.
11. It's All Good! That's another way to talk about the perfection of
life, even when life is obviously not perfect. How can we say that? Try it this
way: life can always be appreciated as a learning laboratory. No matter what
happens, we can learn, grow, and stretch for the stars. "It's all good!"
communicates that sense of wonder that I seek to cultivate on a daily basis; I
would invite you to do the same through meditation, prayer, breathwork,
visualization, relaxation, or whatever practices speak to your spirit.
12. Work Your Attitude. My practice of thanking the spectators that line
the routes of major marathons is but one example of working our attitude. It's
not enough just to feel appreciation on the inside; we also have to communicate
appreciation on the outside. We saw that in so many ways during our trip to
southeast Asia. Time after time, people were smiling and going out of their way
to be friendly. That may sound like a small thing, but it made a big difference
to us and, I hope, to them. For appreciation to take hold, we have actively and
courageously work that attitude.
13. Appreciate Beauty. We can always notice beauty because beauty is
everywhere. If we fail to notice beauty it's not because there is nothing
beautiful to see, hear, taste, smell, or feel. It's just because we are choosing
to look the other way. Don't do that. Don't let that happen. Step back and smell
the roses. Find something beautiful to appreciate. Then find ways to enhance
that through your own effort, choice, and creativity. You and the world will be
glad you did.
14. Like Attracts Like. You may have heard about "the law of attraction."
It's the simple notion that our attitude, intention, and energy influence and
attract the things that come our way. Although some people reduce this "law" to
what sounds like a magical formula for getting more stuff, the power of
appreciation makes clear how it really works. What we appreciate, appreciates.
When we orient ourselves around the good things in life, when we connect with and
trust that our needs can and will be met in life and work, then all kinds of
good things happen. It may not go exactly as we have planned, but it will go and
it will be wonderful.
That's the energy I have been writing about and encouraging for the past
fourteen weeks. I hope it resonates with you and I hope you learn to become more
appreciative. It is the universal key to a wonderful life, and it is available
to us all. I hope you join me on the quest.
Coaching Inquiries: What does the power of appreciation mean to you? How have
you seen it working in your life? What could you do to cultivate an even more
appreciative spirit? Who could become your appreciation buddy in life and work?
How can you make it so today?
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LifeTrek Readers' Forum (selected feedback
from the past week)
Editor's Note: The LifeTrek Readers' Forum contains selections from the comments
and materials sent in each week by the readers of LifeTrek Provisions. They do
not necessarily reflect the perspective of LifeTrek Coaching International. To
submit your comment, use our Feedback Form or
Email Bob.
I just finished reading my first issue of Provisions, "Like
Attracts Like" -- great stuff! I really liked your take on The Secret.
I'm actually working with my two children (6 and 11) on the Ask > Believe >
Receive concept and the appreciation overlay you suggest is a great one to put
in the mix. Thanks.
Im just finishing up an eBook called Finding Time for Fitness. In one
of the chapters where Im writing about staying inspired for regular physical
activity, I cite an example you wrote about in one of your Provisions several
years ago. Id like to get your permission to use this summary in the eBook
before publishing it. Copied below is the paragraph as Id like to include it.
When you have a chance, please let me know if youre OK with me including this.
If you need to see a draft of the entire eBook before deciding, Ill be happy to
send you a copy. (Ed. Note: Permission granted. We appreciate it when people see
value in our work and seek to share it with others. Thanks.) Top
May you be filled with goodness, peace, and joy.
Bob Tschannen-Moran
President, LifeTrek Coaching International,
www.LifeTrekCoaching.com
CEO & Co-Founder, Center for School Transformation,
www.SchoolTransformation.com
2010 President, International Association of Coaching,
www.CertifiedCoach.org
Address: 121 Will Scarlet Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23185-5043
Phone: (757) 345-3452
Fax: (772) 382-3258
Skype: LifeTrek
Twitter: @LifeTrekBob
Mobile: www.LifeTrekMobile.com
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