Success Advice
What A Daily Gratitude Tracker Did To My Mindset.
I’ve read the books of every self-help, inspiring person I could get my hands on. I’ve done the same in the podcast world too.
The topic of gratitude comes up almost every time. While I lied to myself and pretended I practiced gratitude, the truth was I didn’t – I just told myself I did.
Then one day, enough was enough. I realized I was taking my career for granted. I took the following three steps to practice daily gratitude:
1. I went into Microsoft Word and created a blank document called “Gratitude Tracker” and saved it on my desktop.
2. I set a calendar reminder for 9 am every day called “Gratitude Exercise.”
3. Without fail, every day, I entered in three things I was grateful for.
I used to think I was grateful.
This 3-step process taught me I was not. The feeling before and after is totally different. When you keep a gratitude tracker for a minimum of 30 days straight, you’ll notice a shift. I found myself becoming less greedy and my craving for material objects decreased.
I saw the simplicity in the world through crystal clear vision and the benefits that came with it.
I found gratitude in the smallest things.
Do you want to know what ended up in my gratitude tracker? Small things like fresh water to drink, lunches with clients and feeling valued in my team at work. Before having a gratitude tracker, I would never have found happiness in such small things.
Other things that showed up were:
– Finding a beautiful girlfriend
– My career
– Being able to overcome my fear of flying
– My mentors
– Drinking tea
– Having a blogging audience
– Overseas travel
– Nice text messages from family and friends
It forces you to look for the good.
I found out my career was down the toilet. On that particular day, I didn’t feel like seeing the good in the world. My habit of writing in a gratitude tracker forced me to.
“No matter what, I had convinced myself that not coming up with three things I was grateful for daily equaled failure”
I look everywhere in my life to find something that I could be happy about. Having to look so hard to find good made me realize that it’s actually pretty easy. Good is everywhere when we practice focusing on it.
This day was made much less challenging because of my gratitude tracker. My gratitude tracker became my emergency sanctuary that I could bask in like the sun when the thunderstorms of everyday life hit my little world – also known as my mindset.
Don’t overdo it.
Only list down three things in your gratitude tracker every day. Any more than that and you’ll get busy and then lie to yourself about not having time. Lack of time is a myth. Complication is what is truthfully stopping you from taking up these life-changing habits. Also, don’t write war and peace.
“This whole process should take about 45 seconds”
Overthinking and going into detail will force you to be lazy over time. Keep it “simple stupid” (an Aussie catchphrase).
What happens if you miss a day?
Don’t be angry with yourself – you deserve better. Just get back on the horsey and write double the list of things you are grateful for the next day. Feel free to mention things that you wrote down previously as being grateful for. The only goal when doing this is to write them in a different way.
Hearing the same thing over and over, said slightly differently, helps to reinforce it into the mindset you live your life with.
***Final words***
Gratitude only works when you practice it just like any “Success Habit.”
The self-help gurus may be exaggerating a lot of what success is but one thing they’re not wrong about is practicing gratitude. I’ve done my best to describe the feelings and changes to my mindset although ultimately you need to try it for yourself.
Fantasising about success will never get you close to it. Telling yourself to be more positive doesn’t really work either. Make gratitude be the vehicle you use to be positive and become successful in whatever pursuit you put your mind to.
Be bold. Be courageous. Practice gratitude.
If you want to increase your productivity and learn some more valuable life hacks, then join my private mailing list on timdenning.net
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Personal Development
These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.
Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
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Research your topic at night.
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Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
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Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
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A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
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A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
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