How Gratitude Can Supercharge Your Motivation: A Simple Exercise from Japan with Lasting Effects…
Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
Gratitude isn't just about warm feelings; it can be a powerful motivator.
A recent study from Japan shows that taking a few minutes each day to jot down things you're grateful for can significantly boost your motivation levels.
Researchers found that this simple exercise had a lasting impact, with participants reporting increased motivation even three months later…
Dr. Norberto Eiji Nawa, the study's lead author, explained, "Engaging in an online gratitude journal by writing down up to five things one felt grateful for each day could make students more aware of their academic opportunities–their 'blessings'–and help them re-evaluate their motives and goals, ultimately improving their motivation."
How the study was conducted
The study involved 84 Japanese college students split into two groups: a control group and an intervention group. The intervention group was asked to list five things they were grateful for over six days. This exercise was done online, making it accessible and convenient for the students.
Professor Noriko Yamagishi, a co-author of the study, highlighted the advantages of online interventions, stating, "Online interventions have the advantage of being more accessible, scalable, and affordable to large portions of the population."
The results were remarkable.
The students who did the gratitude exercise reported increased motivation for at least three months afterward.
This boost was mainly due to a reduction in feelings of helplessness and incompetence. When students believed they could improve their outcomes through effort, their motivation soared.
We will be seeing more and more gratitude research from our best research minds all over the world.
Here is the huge take-away from this particular study; gratitude doesn't just benefit the person practicing it; it can also motivate others.
A simple 'thank you' can be a powerful motivator for someone to help you again in the future. In a study, participants who received a thank you email were twice as likely to help again compared to those who received a neutral email.
The findings of this study, published in the journal BMC Psychology, highlight the significant impact of gratitude on motivation.
So, the next time someone helps you out, don't forget to say thank you – it could make all the difference!
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
Nawa, N.E., Yamagishi, N. Enhanced academic motivation in university students following a 2-week online gratitude journal intervention. BMC Psychol 9, 71 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00559-w
