Welcome to Day 4 of the Stacking Balance Challenge! We’ve been making small shifts that add up to big changes, and today, we’re diving into something both powerful and scientific—our brain’s ability to develop willpower and resilience. Plus, we’re introducing a gratitude practice that has been scientifically proven to increase happiness. Let’s get into it!

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The Brain’s Secret to Tenacity and Willpower

Before we jump into today’s shift, let’s talk about something fascinating—the brain. There’s a part of our brain that is just now being deeply studied, even by neuroscientists, called the Anterior Mid-Cingulate Cortex (AMCC). This small but mighty area plays a significant role in our ability to push through challenges, build resilience, and develop the tenacity to go after what we want.

What’s incredible is that when we challenge ourselves—when we step outside our comfort zones and do something difficult—we activate this part of our brain, making us more audacious, tenacious, and full of willpower.

Think about it: every time you complete one of these micro shifts, especially the ones that feel uncomfortable at first, you’re literally training your brain to become stronger and more capable. Whether it was turning off notifications on Day 1, sharing this challenge with a friend, or setting up your nightly routine yesterday—each of these moments is building resilience within you. And that, my friend, is pretty magical!

Day 4 Shift: Start a Daily Gratitude Practice

Now that we’ve covered the science, let’s move into today’s micro shift: the power of gratitude.

Practicing gratitude isn’t just a feel-good activity—it’s a powerful tool that rewires your brain for positivity. Research from UC Berkeley has shown that gratitude can increase happiness by up to 25%! Imagine that—just a small, two-minute gratitude practice can significantly impact your overall well-being.

Here’s how today’s shift works:

• Each day, write down three things you’re grateful for.
• Keep it simple—this isn’t about writing something profound or deep (unless you feel inspired to!). It can be as small as:
  • I’m grateful for my morning coffee.
  • I’m grateful for the sunshine today.
  • I’m grateful for my child’s laughter.
• You can use a notebook, a journal, or even the Notes app on your phone—whatever works best for you.

Why does this work? We are naturally wired to focus on problems—it’s a survival mechanism. But when we intentionally focus on what’s going right, we begin to shift our default mindset. If you look for what’s wrong, you’ll always find it. But if you train yourself to look for what’s good, you’ll find that too.

The Magic of a Gratitude Practice

This micro shift isn’t just for today—I want you to keep this practice going throughout the challenge (and hopefully beyond). That’s why I introduced it early on Day 4—so you can continue stacking its benefits as we move forward.

Every morning, I personally write down three things I’m grateful for, beginning with “I am grateful for…” It’s a small act, but it shifts my entire day. Some days, my list is full of little joys, like a warm bed or a good book. Other days, it’s something monumental. But the act of writing it down is what matters most.

Take Action Today

• Write down three things you’re grateful for right now.
• Share one with your accountability group or a friend.
• Notice how this simple act starts to shift your perspective.

That’s it for Day 4! Tomorrow, we’ll be tackling digital clutter, and I promise—it’s going to feel so good. See you then!

After You Listen:

Make Sure to Grab the Free Resource Guide right here!

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

Ep 134: Stacking Balance Day One: Turn Off Notifications

Ep 123: Teaching Our Kids to Serve

Ep 96: Navigating Phones and Social Media with Our Kids