Gratitude & Success – How to Avoid The Biggest Trap

One of the biggest life lessons I’ve had as a professional athlete is in recognizing the importance of the non-obvious. To see beyond what first impressions tell us and perceive the subtle, illusive and often ubiquitous workings of the world is an art and practice whose mastery yields not only hidden pleasures – but true success at anything from business to relationships.

In today’s hectic pace of achievement, massive to-do lists and progress – we have lost sight of one of the most important tools for obtaining what we want in life. Our ambition has blinded us from this tool because, like most wonderful and profound things, it is not obvious.

That tool is gratitude, and it is as tantamount to your success and motivation as drinking water. In my background as a competitive athlete and coach of over 15 years I’ve had to study the duality between what is obvious and what is not obvious through the lens of movement. What often causes what we see in an impressive dance performance, for example, is something much less noticeable – like the stillness and focus most athletes and top performers are able to connect to before they go on the floor.