The real secret of success? Gratitude.

Train the gratitude muscle: you will discover that the real secret of success is not what you think.
By Geoffrey James

I am absolutely convinced that the key to a successful life is the regular exercise of a single ’emotional’ muscle: gratitude.
People who approach life with a sense of gratitude are constantly aware of what is wonderful in their lives. As they enjoy the fruits of their success, they seek further success. And when things do not go as they should, people who feel gratitude can also consider the prospect of failure.
Conversely, people who lack gratitude are never truly happy. If they achieve a goal, they do not rejoice. For them, achieving a series of successes is like trying to fill a bucket with a huge hole in the bottom. And failure invariably makes them bitter, angry and discouraged.
So, if you want to succeed, you have to feel more gratitude.
Fortunately, gratitude, like most emotions, is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger and more resilient it becomes.

Exercise gratitude at night
The best time to exercise gratitude is before going to bed. Take your tablet or a notebook and record the events of the day that created positive emotions, either in you or in those around you.
Did you help someone solve a problem? Write it down. Did you connect with a colleague or friend? Write it down. Did you make someone smile? Write it down.
In this way you are ‘programming your brain’ to view your day with more positivity. You are focusing on what worked well, and shaking off what did not work. As a result, you’ll sleep better and wake up more refreshed and rested.

Reprogramming the brain
More importantly, you are also programming your brain to consider additional reasons to feel gratitude. You will soon discover that even a ‘bad day’ is full of moments worth being grateful for. Success becomes sweeter, failure less bitter.
The more regularly you practise this exercise, the stronger its effects become.
In the long run your ‘gratitude muscle’ will become so strong that you will attract more success in your life, not to mention the successful – i.e. gratitude-filled – people you will attract. You will find yourself thanking people more often. It will be good for you, and good for them too.
This method works. If you don’t believe me, try it for at least a week.
You will be amazed at the enormous difference it makes.

http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/gratitude-true-secret-to-success.html
Editing and translation I&G Management