Research has shown over and over again that the more you
acknowledge your past successes, the more confident you
become in taking on, and successfully accomplishing, new
ones.

As you stay the course and begin to realize your goals, you
need to do two very important things:

1.) Celebrate your successes, and …

2.) Express your gratitude to everyone who has helped you
along the way.

Let’s look at a few of the ways you can acknowledge your
positive past.

Celebrate Your Victories

In order to justify all your sacrifice and persistence that
is required to create the life of your dreams, you have to
enroll your family, your friends, your colleagues and co-
workers, your employees, your clients and, most importantly
yourself, to pay the price.

In order for them to do that, there need to be payoffs along
the way. Every time you reach a milestone on the path to
ultimate success, and every time you achieve a major goal,
you need to celebrate by doing something fun and nurturing.

Have an Attitude of Gratitude

Take the time to thank everyone that has helped you achieve
your goals. Write them a letter, call them, send them an e-
mail or send them a present. It can be as simple as a hug
and a thank you — to something as elaborate as letting
someone use your summer vacation home for a week.

The Power of Acknowledgment

When you take the time to thank someone, they feel
acknowledged for their contribution and will be more likely
to want to help again.

Your Inner Child

A big part of creating more success in life is rewarding
yourself when you succeed. So, it’s important to reward your
inner child as well. Every time you work hard to meet a
goal, the part of you that just wants to have fun has to sit
still and be good. However, just like any kid, if it knows
it will be rewarded later with a treat, it will hang in
there with you.

How can you reward your inner child?

* Take a 20-minute walk after an hour or two of concentrated
work.
* Go for walks in the morning with your spouse, friend, or
significant other.
* Take 20 minutes to listen to music and daydream.
* Take most weekends totally off.
* Take several weeklong vacations throughout the year.
* Get regular massages.
* Engage in daily meditation, exercise and yoga.
* Take music lessons.
* Go to movies, concerts and plays.
* Listen to comedy tapes and watch the Comedy Network.
* Listen to motivational audio programs when driving.

Thank Your Higher Power

Finally, it is important to thank God for all of the abundance that
comes into your life. Start with the little stuff — another
day of life, healthy children, a sunny day, people who love
you, family and friends. Be thankful for the birds, your
pets, the clothes you have and the food you eat.

And be especially thankful for any additional blessings that
come into your life. Take time each day to say a prayer of
thanks when you first arise, before meals, and again at
night before bed.

Having an attitude of gratitude opens up the channels for
even more abundance to flow into your life.

The more grateful you are, the more you will attract things
to be grateful for.

by Jack Canfield