The Power of Gratitude by Sadé LlerrafGratitude might sound like a soft concept but for me, it’s become one of the most powerful tools in both my personal healing and my business growth.
I’ll be honest I didn’t fully understand or practice gratitude until I hit my thirties and became a mum. In my twenties, I was constantly chasing the next big thing more success, more validation, more everything. I rarely paused to acknowledge what I already had, even though I had a lot to be thankful for.
It wasn’t until I found myself juggling motherhood, personal changes, and a business that I started to see things differently. That mindset shift from chasing to appreciating changed everything. I realised how precious time really is, how quickly moments pass, and how important it is to not just pursue goals, but to enjoy the journey and do what you truly love.
Here’s how practising gratitude consistently and intentionally has transformed the way I live, lead, and grow.
1. It Helps You Stay Grounded During Uncertainty
Entrepreneurship can be unpredictable. One month can be thriving; the next, quieter. Personally, I’ve experienced seasons of doubt, setbacks, and the need to start over. Gratitude gave me something to anchor to a way to acknowledge what is working, even when not everything is going to plan.
Some days, the win was a kind message from a customer. Other days, it was simply having the time and space to create. Recognising those small wins reminded me that progress doesn’t always have to be loud to be meaningful.
2. It Shifts Your Mindset from Lack to Abundance
It’s easy to get caught in comparison, especially online. But gratitude brings you back to your journey. Instead of obsessing over what someone else has achieved, gratitude reminds you of what you’ve already built, overcome, and created.
This mindset shift naturally attracts more positive energy, better opportunities, and clearer thinking. You stop operating from fear or scarcity and start making decisions from a place of confidence and clarity.
3. It Improves Relationships (Including the One with Yourself)
Whether it’s your customers, team, audience, or your own inner voice gratitude changes how you interact with people. I’ve found myself becoming more patient, more encouraging, and more open, especially when I take time to acknowledge the people and progress around me.
More importantly, it helps silence that inner critic. Instead of focusing on what I should be doing better, I’ve learned to thank myself for how far I’ve come — and that shift in self-talk creates more space for growth.
4. It Makes You More Resilient
Gratitude doesn’t make the hard stuff disappear but it gives you strength to keep going.
Instead of staying stuck in frustration, I focused on what I could control my time, my energy, my vision. I was grateful for the lessons, the clarity, and even the space to start again. That mindset helped me channel my focus into something powerful and in turn, my business hit new milestones.
5. It’s a Simple Habit That Creates Lasting Impact
You don’t need an hour-long morning routine to practice gratitude. A few minutes a day writing down 3 things you’re thankful for, reflecting before bed, or saying “thank you” more intentionally is enough to start shifting your mindset.
Gratitude doesn’t have to be loud or showy. But when practiced consistently, it changes how you show up in every area of your life.
I’ve learned that gratitude isn’t just about feeling good it’s about being present. As a mum, a business owner, and someone who’s rebuilt from scratch, I now understand that the true magic in life comes from appreciating the little things the time you have, the people around you, and the work that lights you up.
Wherever you are on your journey growing a brand, healing through change, or simply trying to keep going take a moment today to pause and acknowledge what’s already here. You might be further along than you think. And sometimes, that quiet moment of gratitude is the thing that realigns everything.