If there's one habit that has shaped how I lead, build relationships, and show up every day — it's gratitude.
Every morning, as I drink my coffee, I take a few minutes to write in my gratitude journal. It's a simple practice, but it has been a keystone habit in my life for nearly six years. Over time I've learned that gratitude is the perfect antidote to negative emotions. Whenever I feel stress, frustration, or worry, shifting into a grateful state resets everything.
Gratitude shifts something in me — it grounds me, opens me up to possibilities, and helps me build stronger relationships. I've experienced this in my personal life and in business.
In commercial real estate, relationships are everything — with brokers, tenants, property managers, city officials, and partners. Approaching those relationships from a place of gratitude changes the dynamic. It creates warmth, mutual appreciation, collaboration, and trust. And trust is the foundation for doing great work together.
One small tip I try to live by: always say thank you. In emails, in texts, in conversations — I make an intentional effort to include it. Sometimes I even say it more than once. It may feel small, but expressing gratitude sets the right tone, strengthens relationships, and helps me stay in a grateful state.
I'll be honest — I'm not always perfect at this. Like anyone, I have moments when I forget or let frustration take over. But gratitude isn't only an action or a feeling. It's a state of being I try to return to, even when I fall short. And the good news is you can always reframe and shift back to gratitude in any moment.
My reflection: Gratitude is more than a practice — it's a way of being. And like any habit, the more you return to it, the more it compounds.
Do you have a gratitude practice that helps you start or end your day? How has gratitude shaped your relationships or your work?
Never give up. Always be better.
Liz Bapasola, Ed.D. is Partner at Champion Investment Properties LLC. She writes about habits, mindset, and the strategies that help you reach your goals. She can be reached at liz@championinvestcre.com.