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Gratitude Works! A 21-Day Program for Creating Emotional Prosperity
Praise for Gratitude Works!
"Gratitude Works! works wonders for me. Not only does it provide a more realistic and plausible approach to cultivating the disposition of gratitude than have any previous books, it also clearly affirms the connection between an attitude of gratitude and our likelihood of actively helping others. Gratitude actually causes people to become joyful givers, and we reap the benefits. Now that is big news for sure!"
--Stephen G. Post, Ph.D., Stony Brook University School of Medicine; bestselling author, The Hidden Gifts of Helping
"If you're intrigued by gratitude--its history, its benefits and rewards, how to cultivate it, and how it 'works'--and you want to hear about it from the world's preeminent expert on the topic, you have come to the right place. There is no better book about gratitude on the market."
--Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., author, The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want and The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but Doesn't, What Shouldn't Make You Happy, but Does
"Gratitude has been the key that's opened so many doors to God's grace and mercy in our lives. A grateful heart and a thankful perspective is what has fueled our passion to fulfill His purpose on our lives as individuals and together as a family for the past 25 years. Read this book and see how and why gratitude works!"
--The Katinas, contemporary Christian music group
"The world's leading authority on gratitude has given us a deeply heartfelt and practical guide to its healing, strengthening, and mood-lifting powers. A wonderful combination of science, soul, and immediately helpful ideas and practices."
--Rick Hanson, Ph.D., author, Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom
"Gratitude Works! works wonders for me. Not only does it provide a more realistic and plausible approach to cultivating the disposition of gratitude than have any previous books, it also clearly affirms the connection between an attitude of gratitude and our likelihood of actively helping others. Gratitude actually causes people to become joyful givers, and we reap the benefits. Now that is big news for sure!"
--Stephen G. Post, Ph.D., Stony Brook University School of Medicine; bestselling author, The Hidden Gifts of Helping
"If you're intrigued by gratitude--its history, its benefits and rewards, how to cultivate it, and how it 'works'--and you want to hear about it from the world's preeminent expert on the topic, you have come to the right place. There is no better book about gratitude on the market."
--Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., author, The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want and The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but Doesn't, What Shouldn't Make You Happy, but Does
"Gratitude has been the key that's opened so many doors to God's grace and mercy in our lives. A grateful heart and a thankful perspective is what has fueled our passion to fulfill His purpose on our lives as individuals and together as a family for the past 25 years. Read this book and see how and why gratitude works!"
--The Katinas, contemporary Christian music group
"The world's leading authority on gratitude has given us a deeply heartfelt and practical guide to its healing, strengthening, and mood-lifting powers. A wonderful combination of science, soul, and immediately helpful ideas and practices."
--Rick Hanson, Ph.D., author, Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 14, 2013
81 people are currently reading
893 people want to read
About the author
Robert A. Emmons
15 books47 followersRobert A. Emmons, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Davis where he has taught since 1988. He received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign. He is the author of over 200 original publications in peer‑reviewed journals or chapters and has written or edited eight books, including The Psychology of Ultimate Concerns (Guilford Press), The Psychology of Gratitude (Oxford University Press), Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier (Houghton-Mifflin), Gratitude Works! A Twenty-One Day Program for Creating Emotional Prosperity (Jossey-Bass) and The Little Book of Gratitude (Hachette). A leader in the positive psychology movement, Dr. Emmons is founding editor and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Positive Psychology. His research focuses on the psychology of gratitude and joy as they relate to human flourishing. Professor Emmons speaks regularly at medical and psychological conferences and at public events. Dr. Emmons has received research funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, the John M. Templeton Foundation, and the National Institute for Disability Research and Rehabilitation. His research has been featured in dozens of popular media outlets including the New York Times, USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, Newsweek, Time, NPR, PBS, Consumer Reports, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the Today Show. He lives with his wife of 24 years, Yvonne and their two sons and two dogs in Davis, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 4, 2016
A lovely little read on gratefulness. I think it could be especially powerful if gratitude doesn't come naturally to you, as there are lots of tips for how to look at life in a grateful light. Even if gratitude is already rather abundant in your life (such as your the type of person who thinks "Boy, I'm thankful that I get out of bed and get dressed in a hurry when I've overslept unlike those people with MS who need someone to assist them with just moving their legs off their bed.")
I enjoyed the story on page 30 about the man marooned on the island who prayed daily for a rescue but no one came. Then his hut burned down and he cried out "All is gone--God, how could you do this to me?!" Next day a ship arrives to rescue him and he asked the crew how he knew he was there. "We saw your smoke signal" The story asks us "to remember the next time when your little hut is burning to the ground, it may be a signal that summons the grace of God."
If you decide to do a gratitude journal be specific (#1). Give details. Do so when you write a thank you note, too. Make it personal and specific. Write about surprises (#2). Surprises create more gratitude because they are unexpected. I guess that's why with a number of people I no longer give birthday and Christmas gifts, but rather "Random gifts" as I've realized how much happier I am to get a surprise card or gift than one that's it expected because it's my birthday. Think about what things will be like when the happy event will end (scarcity #3). "A sense of now or never cane impel us to make the most of every day" (page 39).
Think not only about those who have helped you, but also about those who have helped people you love. Be grateful for the negative outcomes avoided, escaped, or turned into a positive (thank goodness when that car pulled out in front of me that I didn't get hit).
Make a gratitude visit. Or at least write a letter of gratitude to someone you've never properly thanked, but in an in-person visit is better. It can increase your happiness level for up to 3 months after the visit! (page 51).
Gratitude comes from the Latin word "gratia" meaning grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. "For Christians, without an awareness of God's grace, it is impossible to cultivate gratitude" (page 78).
"Muslims fast to give thanks to the Almighty for his blessings and to force reliance on him . . . Fasting can reveal just how much time and energy we devote to food and eating . . ." (page 79). "We cannot recognize some blessings until they are lost. When we lose --or perceive a threat of loss--to some aspect of life, we may see other aspects of life as more precious...There is nothing quite like the potential unavailability of something or someone to make us value it more" (page 81). It's the principle of scarcity.
Not surprisingly, aspiring to have greater wealth and more stuff undermines the ability to be happy. Materialism can put people in an emotional debt in that the greater they place a value on things, the more they are at risk for depression and hostility (Page 88).
Favorite quotations:
"Silent gratitude isn't very much use to anyone" Gertrude Stein (page 49)
"If something happened to you tomorrow, would you regret that you hadn't properly thanked these people for their role in your life? (ibid)
"Gratitude is a universal religious sentiment . . ." (page 77)
"Because gratitude involves wanting what one has rather than having what one wants, instilling a sense of gratitude may cultivate appreciation of the gifts of the moment and help you experience freedom from past regrets and future anxieties" (page 90).
"Wanting more and wanting what one already has are very different. It is not materialism per se that is the enemy of gratitude but rather a lack of appreciation for what one already possesses. Wanting things to be different than how they are right now is the formula for regret and rumination, not gratitude" (page 90)
"When you feel entitled, you are not merely disappointed when others disagree with you or fail to accommodate your presumed rights, you feel cheated and wronged, and this produces anger and a stronger sense of entitlement as compensation. Resentment comes from a perception of unfairness... the word resent means to feel again" (page 108).
"Students high in a sense of entitlement engaged in more academic dishonesty" (page 111).
I thought the "economy of gratitude" was interesting. Apparently individuals in relationships offer each other "gifts" or a little something extra (like unloading the dishwasher). If unloading the dishwasher, though, is seen as one of YOUR jobs, then your spouse is unlikely o feel gratitude to you for doing "your" work. Gratitude is not a likely outcome as that effort to put the dishes in their proper place is not viewed as a gift for that other person (page 114-115).
The most memorable and for me, powerful, part of this book for me was the story of Bruria (Beruriah)--a story told in the Talmud.
One Friday afternoon before Shabbat, while Rabbi Meir was in the Beth Hamidrosh, sudden sickness struck their children and they passed away before anything could be done for them.
According to Jewish law one is not permitted to have a funeral on Shabbat or to openly mourn, so as there was nothing she could do, she kept the their loss to herself until after Shabbat. Afterwards she posed a legal question to Rabbi Meir.
"Tell me, my husband, what shall I do? Some time ago I was loaned two jewels that were left with me for safe-keeping. Now the owner has returned to claim them. What shall I do?"
"That is a very strange question indeed. How can you doubt the right of the owner to claim what belongs to him?" Rabbi Meir exclaimed in astonishment.
"Well, I did not want to return them without letting you know of it," replied Beruriah. She then led her husband into the bedroom where their two sons lay in their eternal sleep. She removed the bedcovers from their still bodies. Rabbi Meir, seeing his beloved sons, and realizing that they had passed away, burst out into bitter weeping.
"My dear husband," Beruriah gently reminded him. "God has requested that we return the loan of our two jewels." (Adapted from page 129)
Lastly, the words of my brilliant grad school adviser were echoed here---"Emotional venting without accompanying insight does not produce change. (That is why catharsis is rarely effective)" (page 146).
Enjoy the gratitude journey!
------------------------------------
Tips:
*Get rid of anything not used in the past 6 months. Donate/re-home it!
*Loan something of value to someone and do not ask for it back. If it gets returned, great. If not, let it go.
*Value experiences over objects. Reflect on what recent experiences have added to your life! (What memories were created!!)
*Buy something for someone less fortunate than yourself. Spending money on others enhances gratitude and makes us happier than does spending money on ourselves.
Do an examination of conscience (as begun by St. Ignatius) to grow in gratitude . . .
1. God's Presence--become aware wherever you are that God is present within you
2. Thanksgiving--Be specific and find places in your day to be grateful for the day's gifts. Give thanks for those moments.
3. Self-knowledge--Look at your actions, attitudes, and movies with honesty and patience. Be open to growth and learning something new about yourself.
4. Now review your day--How have you responded to God's gifts? Were they received with (or without) complaint? Could you have chosen a path of gratitude instead of complaint?
5. Communicate with God--You may feel led to ask forgiveness, ask for direction, or share a concern. Above all give thanks for grace.
Paul Wong's Humble Practice Tips:
*Receive correction and feedback graciously
*Forgive those who have wronged us
*Apologize to others we have wronged
*Rejoice over other's success
*Treat all people with respect regardless of their social status
*Assume responsibility for failures
*Learn from our failures
*Seek opportunities to serve others
*Enjoy the lowly status of being an outsider and a nobody
Pages 124-125
Further recommended readings:
"The Spirit of the Disciplines" by Dallas Willard "We receive a gift, we recognize its worth, and we appreciate its value" page 77).
"The High Price of Materialism" by Tim Kasser
"The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the age of entitlement" by Jean Twenge and Keith Campbell
Mastering The Gratitude Attitude
http://www.aish.com/sp/pg/48942481.html
I enjoyed the story on page 30 about the man marooned on the island who prayed daily for a rescue but no one came. Then his hut burned down and he cried out "All is gone--God, how could you do this to me?!" Next day a ship arrives to rescue him and he asked the crew how he knew he was there. "We saw your smoke signal" The story asks us "to remember the next time when your little hut is burning to the ground, it may be a signal that summons the grace of God."
If you decide to do a gratitude journal be specific (#1). Give details. Do so when you write a thank you note, too. Make it personal and specific. Write about surprises (#2). Surprises create more gratitude because they are unexpected. I guess that's why with a number of people I no longer give birthday and Christmas gifts, but rather "Random gifts" as I've realized how much happier I am to get a surprise card or gift than one that's it expected because it's my birthday. Think about what things will be like when the happy event will end (scarcity #3). "A sense of now or never cane impel us to make the most of every day" (page 39).
Think not only about those who have helped you, but also about those who have helped people you love. Be grateful for the negative outcomes avoided, escaped, or turned into a positive (thank goodness when that car pulled out in front of me that I didn't get hit).
Make a gratitude visit. Or at least write a letter of gratitude to someone you've never properly thanked, but in an in-person visit is better. It can increase your happiness level for up to 3 months after the visit! (page 51).
Gratitude comes from the Latin word "gratia" meaning grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. "For Christians, without an awareness of God's grace, it is impossible to cultivate gratitude" (page 78).
"Muslims fast to give thanks to the Almighty for his blessings and to force reliance on him . . . Fasting can reveal just how much time and energy we devote to food and eating . . ." (page 79). "We cannot recognize some blessings until they are lost. When we lose --or perceive a threat of loss--to some aspect of life, we may see other aspects of life as more precious...There is nothing quite like the potential unavailability of something or someone to make us value it more" (page 81). It's the principle of scarcity.
Not surprisingly, aspiring to have greater wealth and more stuff undermines the ability to be happy. Materialism can put people in an emotional debt in that the greater they place a value on things, the more they are at risk for depression and hostility (Page 88).
Favorite quotations:
"Silent gratitude isn't very much use to anyone" Gertrude Stein (page 49)
"If something happened to you tomorrow, would you regret that you hadn't properly thanked these people for their role in your life? (ibid)
"Gratitude is a universal religious sentiment . . ." (page 77)
"Because gratitude involves wanting what one has rather than having what one wants, instilling a sense of gratitude may cultivate appreciation of the gifts of the moment and help you experience freedom from past regrets and future anxieties" (page 90).
"Wanting more and wanting what one already has are very different. It is not materialism per se that is the enemy of gratitude but rather a lack of appreciation for what one already possesses. Wanting things to be different than how they are right now is the formula for regret and rumination, not gratitude" (page 90)
"When you feel entitled, you are not merely disappointed when others disagree with you or fail to accommodate your presumed rights, you feel cheated and wronged, and this produces anger and a stronger sense of entitlement as compensation. Resentment comes from a perception of unfairness... the word resent means to feel again" (page 108).
"Students high in a sense of entitlement engaged in more academic dishonesty" (page 111).
I thought the "economy of gratitude" was interesting. Apparently individuals in relationships offer each other "gifts" or a little something extra (like unloading the dishwasher). If unloading the dishwasher, though, is seen as one of YOUR jobs, then your spouse is unlikely o feel gratitude to you for doing "your" work. Gratitude is not a likely outcome as that effort to put the dishes in their proper place is not viewed as a gift for that other person (page 114-115).
The most memorable and for me, powerful, part of this book for me was the story of Bruria (Beruriah)--a story told in the Talmud.
One Friday afternoon before Shabbat, while Rabbi Meir was in the Beth Hamidrosh, sudden sickness struck their children and they passed away before anything could be done for them.
According to Jewish law one is not permitted to have a funeral on Shabbat or to openly mourn, so as there was nothing she could do, she kept the their loss to herself until after Shabbat. Afterwards she posed a legal question to Rabbi Meir.
"Tell me, my husband, what shall I do? Some time ago I was loaned two jewels that were left with me for safe-keeping. Now the owner has returned to claim them. What shall I do?"
"That is a very strange question indeed. How can you doubt the right of the owner to claim what belongs to him?" Rabbi Meir exclaimed in astonishment.
"Well, I did not want to return them without letting you know of it," replied Beruriah. She then led her husband into the bedroom where their two sons lay in their eternal sleep. She removed the bedcovers from their still bodies. Rabbi Meir, seeing his beloved sons, and realizing that they had passed away, burst out into bitter weeping.
"My dear husband," Beruriah gently reminded him. "God has requested that we return the loan of our two jewels." (Adapted from page 129)
Lastly, the words of my brilliant grad school adviser were echoed here---"Emotional venting without accompanying insight does not produce change. (That is why catharsis is rarely effective)" (page 146).
Enjoy the gratitude journey!
------------------------------------
Tips:
*Get rid of anything not used in the past 6 months. Donate/re-home it!
*Loan something of value to someone and do not ask for it back. If it gets returned, great. If not, let it go.
*Value experiences over objects. Reflect on what recent experiences have added to your life! (What memories were created!!)
*Buy something for someone less fortunate than yourself. Spending money on others enhances gratitude and makes us happier than does spending money on ourselves.
Do an examination of conscience (as begun by St. Ignatius) to grow in gratitude . . .
1. God's Presence--become aware wherever you are that God is present within you
2. Thanksgiving--Be specific and find places in your day to be grateful for the day's gifts. Give thanks for those moments.
3. Self-knowledge--Look at your actions, attitudes, and movies with honesty and patience. Be open to growth and learning something new about yourself.
4. Now review your day--How have you responded to God's gifts? Were they received with (or without) complaint? Could you have chosen a path of gratitude instead of complaint?
5. Communicate with God--You may feel led to ask forgiveness, ask for direction, or share a concern. Above all give thanks for grace.
Paul Wong's Humble Practice Tips:
*Receive correction and feedback graciously
*Forgive those who have wronged us
*Apologize to others we have wronged
*Rejoice over other's success
*Treat all people with respect regardless of their social status
*Assume responsibility for failures
*Learn from our failures
*Seek opportunities to serve others
*Enjoy the lowly status of being an outsider and a nobody
Pages 124-125
Further recommended readings:
"The Spirit of the Disciplines" by Dallas Willard "We receive a gift, we recognize its worth, and we appreciate its value" page 77).
"The High Price of Materialism" by Tim Kasser
"The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the age of entitlement" by Jean Twenge and Keith Campbell
Mastering The Gratitude Attitude
http://www.aish.com/sp/pg/48942481.html
January 2, 2014
I am grateful that I have access to many books and was thus able to stop reading this one.
If you already get the idea that being grateful is a good thing, you've gotten the main content of the whole book. The added layers of fluff didn't do much for me. The value of self-help books is if they resonate with you when you read them, so if working on gratitude is new to you, this may be of great benefit.
If you already get the idea that being grateful is a good thing, you've gotten the main content of the whole book. The added layers of fluff didn't do much for me. The value of self-help books is if they resonate with you when you read them, so if working on gratitude is new to you, this may be of great benefit.
February 5, 2015
I found this to be a great book. A couple of Conferences ago, President Uchtdorf talked about being grateful -- not being grateful FOR something, just being grateful. I wasn't sure how to go about what he was saying. This book has some really good ideas.
My only complaint is that I was listening to it rather than reading. At least for me, this is definitely a READ book...especially the last chapter where he give the practical suggestions and there are "worksheets" in the book that I don't have.
So...I will just need to buy the book and re-read it, then do some of the things he suggested.
My only complaint is that I was listening to it rather than reading. At least for me, this is definitely a READ book...especially the last chapter where he give the practical suggestions and there are "worksheets" in the book that I don't have.
So...I will just need to buy the book and re-read it, then do some of the things he suggested.
December 18, 2013
3.5 stars This reads neither as an academic analysis nor as a cheer section for a single virtue. Nor is it prescriptive in the sense that the author presumes that his "program" is your silver bullet. Carefully, but not brilliantly presented evidences and a nice 21-day experiment at the end. Author has turned gratitude over many times in his mind; he is thorough.
June 21, 2024
“Gratitude is about remembering….we are collectively forgetful. Do you want to be a grateful person? Then remember to remember.” The evidence-based research from this book provides reasons why practicing gratitude can have dramatic and lasting positive effects on our lives. I learned much about how to cultivate gratitude and how to become a more grateful person. Gratefulness requires intentionality and practice and anyone can benefit from these strategies. Highly recommend!
July 11, 2020
Wow! One of the best books I read this year and among the best books I read during the last years.
October 26, 2023
I consider myself a reasonably grateful guy but this book has opened my eyes to JUST how powerful gratitude is.
“Because it is a virtue, gratitude, at least initially, requires mental discipline. Virtues do not come easily, and in some sense, we need them as they act as a counterpart to our natural tendencies. This is the paradox of gratitude: although the evidence is clear that cultivating gratitude in our life and in our attitude to life allows us to flourish, it can be difficult to accomplish. Developing and sustaining a grateful outlook on life is easier said than done because the choice for gratitude rarely comes without some real effort. We can put the science of gratitude to work for us, however. A number of evidence-based strategies, including self-guided journaling, reflective thinking, letter writing, and gratitude visits, have shown to be effective in creating sustainable gratefulness. We will explore all of these practices in the chapters that follow. They will help you become good at gratitude. You will find that each time you make the choice for gratitude, the next choice will be a little easier, a little more automatic, a little freer. In doing so, we open ourselves up to the limitless possibilities for a fullness that life has to offer.”
~ Robert Emmons from Gratitude Works!
I’m grateful for Robert Emmons.
He’s dedicated the last three decades of his life to understanding the science of how to boost our well-being. In the process, he’s conducted ground-breaking research on the power of gratitude. In fact, he’s basically THE researcher we have to thank for understanding *just* how powerful gratitude journaling is.
Robert has also served as a founding editor and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Positive Psychology. And, he was the past president of the American Psychological Association’s division on the Psychology of Religion. (<- How cool is that?)
This book affected me in a similar way that Barbara Fredrickson’s Love 2.0 changed my life. Barbara’s book challenged me to exit my “cocoon of self-absorption” in my day-to-day interactions with people in my community. I now deliberately seek out little micro moments of positivity resonance and that’s made a big difference in my life.
I consider myself a reasonably grateful guy but this book has opened my eyes to JUST how powerful gratitude is. And, to just how important it is to DELIBERATELY PRACTICE it.
I HIGHLY recommend it. (Get a copy here.)
Some of my favorite big ideas from this book include:
1. Want a 25% Boost? - Bust out a gratitude journal!
2. Cultivating Gardens - Of gratitude.
3. Practice Tips - Remember: “For granted” vs. “as granted.”
4. #1 Obstacle = Entitlement - Remedy = Humility.
5. Memento the Privilege - Turning bad to good.
I’ve summarized those Big Ideas in a video review that you can watch here: https://youtu.be/rC8uZwXN0dM?feature=...
I’ve also added Gratitude Works! by Robert A. Emmons to my collection of Philosopher’s Notes--distilling the Big Ideas into 6-page PDF and 20-minute MP3s on 600+ of the BEST self-development books ever. You can get access to all of those plus a TON more over at https://heroic.us.
“Because it is a virtue, gratitude, at least initially, requires mental discipline. Virtues do not come easily, and in some sense, we need them as they act as a counterpart to our natural tendencies. This is the paradox of gratitude: although the evidence is clear that cultivating gratitude in our life and in our attitude to life allows us to flourish, it can be difficult to accomplish. Developing and sustaining a grateful outlook on life is easier said than done because the choice for gratitude rarely comes without some real effort. We can put the science of gratitude to work for us, however. A number of evidence-based strategies, including self-guided journaling, reflective thinking, letter writing, and gratitude visits, have shown to be effective in creating sustainable gratefulness. We will explore all of these practices in the chapters that follow. They will help you become good at gratitude. You will find that each time you make the choice for gratitude, the next choice will be a little easier, a little more automatic, a little freer. In doing so, we open ourselves up to the limitless possibilities for a fullness that life has to offer.”
~ Robert Emmons from Gratitude Works!
I’m grateful for Robert Emmons.
He’s dedicated the last three decades of his life to understanding the science of how to boost our well-being. In the process, he’s conducted ground-breaking research on the power of gratitude. In fact, he’s basically THE researcher we have to thank for understanding *just* how powerful gratitude journaling is.
Robert has also served as a founding editor and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Positive Psychology. And, he was the past president of the American Psychological Association’s division on the Psychology of Religion. (<- How cool is that?)
This book affected me in a similar way that Barbara Fredrickson’s Love 2.0 changed my life. Barbara’s book challenged me to exit my “cocoon of self-absorption” in my day-to-day interactions with people in my community. I now deliberately seek out little micro moments of positivity resonance and that’s made a big difference in my life.
I consider myself a reasonably grateful guy but this book has opened my eyes to JUST how powerful gratitude is. And, to just how important it is to DELIBERATELY PRACTICE it.
I HIGHLY recommend it. (Get a copy here.)
Some of my favorite big ideas from this book include:
1. Want a 25% Boost? - Bust out a gratitude journal!
2. Cultivating Gardens - Of gratitude.
3. Practice Tips - Remember: “For granted” vs. “as granted.”
4. #1 Obstacle = Entitlement - Remedy = Humility.
5. Memento the Privilege - Turning bad to good.
I’ve summarized those Big Ideas in a video review that you can watch here: https://youtu.be/rC8uZwXN0dM?feature=...
I’ve also added Gratitude Works! by Robert A. Emmons to my collection of Philosopher’s Notes--distilling the Big Ideas into 6-page PDF and 20-minute MP3s on 600+ of the BEST self-development books ever. You can get access to all of those plus a TON more over at https://heroic.us.
June 12, 2019
A 21 day practical program for implementing the suggestions in his book from 7 years prior. Spoiler: it will take more than 21 days, but will be so well worth the effort and journey. The plan itself is simple, and the questions/checklists appear carefully designed, dripping with life wisdom. Emmons is a principle founder of Positive Psychology, and this stature shows in his scientific research and references, his pithy memorable quotations from literature and philosophy, and from his clinical rigor in therapeutic intervention.
The program is much deeper and well explained than this summary, which is why this is a 5-star book!
Practice gratitude, first with yourself, then with others, then through lifestyle and spiritually more deeply (based on your own beliefs).
Devoting a full chapter of the book to the single topic of Entitlement blocking necessary humility was profoundly surprising and of course brilliant. Presenting it without judgement or blame, effective and wise.
This book could use a work book, and social support through arranged communities.
(I am grateful for the library deadline to finish and return this book, and to the next reader who recalled it!)
The program is much deeper and well explained than this summary, which is why this is a 5-star book!
Practice gratitude, first with yourself, then with others, then through lifestyle and spiritually more deeply (based on your own beliefs).
Devoting a full chapter of the book to the single topic of Entitlement blocking necessary humility was profoundly surprising and of course brilliant. Presenting it without judgement or blame, effective and wise.
This book could use a work book, and social support through arranged communities.
(I am grateful for the library deadline to finish and return this book, and to the next reader who recalled it!)
September 7, 2024
Excessively long portion of the book is on the research of gratitude even though the research is a bit shoddy and tangential. I however do believe in the power of gratitude. I would recommend reading the first chapter, then the last chapter (where the 21 day program is) and subsequently any chapters where you may be confused. I do think the gratitude program is a bit more fleshed out than what I may find in other books
February 12, 2024
Exactly what I needed at this stage of life! Thanks!
June 15, 2015
Too Much Religion
I really liked the scientific and practical aspects of the book, particularly the beginning and the end. But the middle bogged down in a lot of religious rhetoric (primarily Christian) that I wasn't expecting. To my mind, gratitude to God is akin to the coffee maker, so I found this section really disjointed. Still, there's a lot of value in this book if you can overlook the religious aspect. I might have given another star if I was at least expecting it.
I really liked the scientific and practical aspects of the book, particularly the beginning and the end. But the middle bogged down in a lot of religious rhetoric (primarily Christian) that I wasn't expecting. To my mind, gratitude to God is akin to the coffee maker, so I found this section really disjointed. Still, there's a lot of value in this book if you can overlook the religious aspect. I might have given another star if I was at least expecting it.
February 3, 2024
The content of the book is not bad, but the fact that pretty much the whole book is just talk about gratitude in general, and then the actual 21-day program is only the last few pages in a rushed manner... it's just not what I was expecting from this.
June 27, 2022
The reason why we are not grateful is that we are collectively forgetful.
Hello, my friends! Here is my review of the philosophical book "Gratitude Works!" by Robert Emmons.
In this book, the author, a professor of psychology, proves that gratitude does work. These pages are filled with experiments and true stories of the benefits of being grateful. Gratitude can have dramatic and lasting effects on our lives. Grateful people experience higher levels of positive emotions such as joy, enthusiasm, love, happiness, and optimism.
I loved this book so much! I was keeping a gratitude journal before with little success. But this book opened my eyes to how powerful gratitude is. The book explains that we can practice gratitude just like any other skill. It provides a step-by-step guide on how to do it through daily routines. Some of them are reflective thinking, letter writing, and, of course, gratitude journaling but in a more guided and easy way.
However, the book states that gratitude is not just a skill we develop, but a character trait. It is something that should be deeply embedded within us. "Gratitude is fertilizer for the mind, spreading connections and improving its function in nearly every realm of experience."
In my case, it's impossibly hard to be grateful when your country is at war, and you hear explosions and see people dying in the closest cities to you. Nevertheless, as the book says, we should be grateful even in the darkest times. We should remind ourselves of the good and positivity that still is very present in our lives. So I'm indeed feeling grateful that my city hasn't been affected by the war, and it's still safely here for now.
Putting it all together, after reading this book, my perspective on the world shifted. I realized that life owes me nothing, and all the good I have is a gift. Life itself is a gift. Moreover, my relationships with my family and friends deepened and bolstered.
I'm grateful that I found this book, and I made sure that gratitude does work! Hence, I recommend this book to everyone who wants to be happier and is interested in spiritual and emotional growth.
Hello, my friends! Here is my review of the philosophical book "Gratitude Works!" by Robert Emmons.
In this book, the author, a professor of psychology, proves that gratitude does work. These pages are filled with experiments and true stories of the benefits of being grateful. Gratitude can have dramatic and lasting effects on our lives. Grateful people experience higher levels of positive emotions such as joy, enthusiasm, love, happiness, and optimism.
I loved this book so much! I was keeping a gratitude journal before with little success. But this book opened my eyes to how powerful gratitude is. The book explains that we can practice gratitude just like any other skill. It provides a step-by-step guide on how to do it through daily routines. Some of them are reflective thinking, letter writing, and, of course, gratitude journaling but in a more guided and easy way.
However, the book states that gratitude is not just a skill we develop, but a character trait. It is something that should be deeply embedded within us. "Gratitude is fertilizer for the mind, spreading connections and improving its function in nearly every realm of experience."
In my case, it's impossibly hard to be grateful when your country is at war, and you hear explosions and see people dying in the closest cities to you. Nevertheless, as the book says, we should be grateful even in the darkest times. We should remind ourselves of the good and positivity that still is very present in our lives. So I'm indeed feeling grateful that my city hasn't been affected by the war, and it's still safely here for now.
Putting it all together, after reading this book, my perspective on the world shifted. I realized that life owes me nothing, and all the good I have is a gift. Life itself is a gift. Moreover, my relationships with my family and friends deepened and bolstered.
I'm grateful that I found this book, and I made sure that gratitude does work! Hence, I recommend this book to everyone who wants to be happier and is interested in spiritual and emotional growth.
March 5, 2021
I listened to this on audiobook.
I wish I could give a book on gratitude a higher rating, but this just felt really dry and stale. I'll have to look for the author's other books, since it seems he got great praise for at least a different title.
There were decent takeaways from this, like taking part in a daily inventory of yourself and being wiling to change those things you feel are unfavorable, thereby opening yourself up to being capable of feeling more gratitude. (If you're an angry "victim" every day, then it's pretty much near impossible to find gratitude.)
I disagree with the author's assertion that it is not possible to feel gratitude towards yourself - that it is only ever an outward expression. It's difficult for me to explain, but it is possible to direct gratitude towards yourself and do it with humility without being a self-involved narcissist. Maybe you'll only know that's possible if you spent the greater part of your life with low self-esteem. To that student he dismissed: I hear you!
I'm going to go ahead and try out the exercise at the end of the book and see how I'm feeling at the end of the month, however. Maybe I'll change my tune on this book. But I do think there's other, more entertaining books out there on gratitude. Pam Grout's Thank and Grow Rich is a fun one. The Gratitude Jar by Josie Robinson is also a good one to check out.
I wish I could give a book on gratitude a higher rating, but this just felt really dry and stale. I'll have to look for the author's other books, since it seems he got great praise for at least a different title.
There were decent takeaways from this, like taking part in a daily inventory of yourself and being wiling to change those things you feel are unfavorable, thereby opening yourself up to being capable of feeling more gratitude. (If you're an angry "victim" every day, then it's pretty much near impossible to find gratitude.)
I disagree with the author's assertion that it is not possible to feel gratitude towards yourself - that it is only ever an outward expression. It's difficult for me to explain, but it is possible to direct gratitude towards yourself and do it with humility without being a self-involved narcissist. Maybe you'll only know that's possible if you spent the greater part of your life with low self-esteem. To that student he dismissed: I hear you!
I'm going to go ahead and try out the exercise at the end of the book and see how I'm feeling at the end of the month, however. Maybe I'll change my tune on this book. But I do think there's other, more entertaining books out there on gratitude. Pam Grout's Thank and Grow Rich is a fun one. The Gratitude Jar by Josie Robinson is also a good one to check out.
August 12, 2023
This book, Gratitude Works by Robert A. Emmons is the 30th book I have read so far this year (2023).
It was okay, not spectacular. There were only a few moments when I felt like the author presented something that I had never thought about before, like the relationship between humility and gratitude.
In my personal life, gratitude plays a very important role. I did enjoy the stories, quotes and exercises throughout the book, particularly the 21 day challenge at the end.
I think this is the first book I’ve ever read solely dedicated to gratitude. It was interesting, but, again, I wish I learned more. I do think I will read the author’s other book, Thanks.
I am giving this book 3 out of 5 stars.
It was okay, not spectacular. There were only a few moments when I felt like the author presented something that I had never thought about before, like the relationship between humility and gratitude.
In my personal life, gratitude plays a very important role. I did enjoy the stories, quotes and exercises throughout the book, particularly the 21 day challenge at the end.
I think this is the first book I’ve ever read solely dedicated to gratitude. It was interesting, but, again, I wish I learned more. I do think I will read the author’s other book, Thanks.
I am giving this book 3 out of 5 stars.
September 26, 2024
Book was cited in the Psychology of Happiness Stanford online free course that was really popular back in 2020
Short book filled with research on why gratitude helps us become more attuned with life, happier, and less negative. Also gives us tips on how to practice gratitude and how to give others gratitude
I love when the book talked about expressing gratitude to others and to verbalize and express it. Also to practice thankfulness for the blessings in life. To see each thing and what people do for us as gifts and to appreciate each thing
I wish more people would practice gratitude… I want to practice more gratitude in my every day life as well to rewire my mind and thoughts
Needed this book this week
Short book filled with research on why gratitude helps us become more attuned with life, happier, and less negative. Also gives us tips on how to practice gratitude and how to give others gratitude
I love when the book talked about expressing gratitude to others and to verbalize and express it. Also to practice thankfulness for the blessings in life. To see each thing and what people do for us as gifts and to appreciate each thing
I wish more people would practice gratitude… I want to practice more gratitude in my every day life as well to rewire my mind and thoughts
Needed this book this week
August 21, 2022
I would say! This is one of the life changing book that I have ever read.
This books has helped me overcome PTSD and Hatred towards people. Reading it has helped me look life in a new perspective.
I can say that I am very grateful today. People love me for my care that I show them. And, I would say, it was this book that played a major role in it.
Developing perspective from exercise discussed in this book could help you overcome depression, anger and hated on anything or anyone, helps you make and think more positively, develop a character which will be loved and respected.
This books has helped me overcome PTSD and Hatred towards people. Reading it has helped me look life in a new perspective.
I can say that I am very grateful today. People love me for my care that I show them. And, I would say, it was this book that played a major role in it.
Developing perspective from exercise discussed in this book could help you overcome depression, anger and hated on anything or anyone, helps you make and think more positively, develop a character which will be loved and respected.
April 28, 2020
This was a tough read for me. Not sure what about it made it so - just felt like the book just didn’t flow well for me.
On the bright side there were many anecdotes that connected with me and the topic is extremely important because there is a shortage of gratitude in society these days.
I am grateful to have read this book and look forward to applying the 21 day challenge at the end of the book.
On the bright side there were many anecdotes that connected with me and the topic is extremely important because there is a shortage of gratitude in society these days.
I am grateful to have read this book and look forward to applying the 21 day challenge at the end of the book.
November 3, 2019
Being grateful everyday requires us to be conscious about our actions, the things that happen to/for us, who we surround ourselves with, our environment and so much more. Great insights and questions to ask ourselves about gratitude throughout the book. A good read.
May 8, 2020
If you believe in the concept of gratitude and it's impact on your overall sense of well being then this book would be helpful in learning more about the benefits and how to incorporate the practice into your life.
May 30, 2022
A short evidence-based book on why gratitude works and a 21-day learning plan.
A phenomenal resource for helping professionals and coaches specifically who incorporate gratitude resources in their practices.
A phenomenal resource for helping professionals and coaches specifically who incorporate gratitude resources in their practices.
November 13, 2023
I really liked the takeaways from this book but thought the way it was presented was too "salesy". Basically, gratitude in various forms (journaling, prayer, fasting, letters, meditation) produces a healthier, more satisfying life. Reduces depression, extends life expectancy, etc. Gratitude works!
December 3, 2023
Nice little drive into gratitude! I enjoyed the practical practices that can be implemented into my everyday life. I’ve been practicing them and have found myself happier, more content, less stressed and dare I say it- grateful!
August 10, 2017
Life changing book. Emmons is a rock star on gratitude.
May 5, 2019
I read this book in preparation for a psychotherapy group I’m leading. A quick read with many valuable tips for practicing gratitude!
February 18, 2020
DNF. Managed to read 67% of the book but until then, absolutely nothing new. Nothing more then “Gratitude is important”. Well...
February 22, 2020
2.5 Stars
November 24, 2020
3.5 stars. Easy read and contains great information, but seemed repetitive at times.
April 30, 2021
Good practical tips to embracing gratitude into your life
September 21, 2021
If we train ourselves to love, we’ll be ready when the time comes to express love.
To love, we just need to be our true Selves.
Inspiring book!
To love, we just need to be our true Selves.
Inspiring book!
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