It's easy to be happy when you get a yes. But it is not enough to be appreciative when good things happen. 

True empowerment comes when you express gratitude to both yeses and no's alike and cultivate a mindset that sees value in every opportunity, regardless of its immediate outcome. 

Here are four things to keep in mind:

1... Receive a 'no' as gracefully as you do a 'yes.' 

Express genuine appreciation for the individual who took the time to provide an honest response. (It's silence and the lack of decisions we really dislike, right?)  When you handle it with grace and poise, that will go a long way. Plus, a kind, proactive reaction to a "no" not only preserves relationships but builds respect and understanding.

2... Gratitude fuels personal serenity

Expressing gratitude transcends the boundaries of mere "positivity." In the face of rejection, maintaining an attitude of appreciation becomes a powerful tool for peace and serenity. It's impossible to hold two differing emotions at once. Have you ever been angry and seen something funny? The anger disappears.

You simply cannot be fearful and grateful at the same time. 

Getting a lot of Nos? You won't succumb to feelings of depression or self-pity when you are rooted in gratitude. But hey, you want to throw a pity party? Do it. And when you're ready to end it, start being grateful.

3... Make gratitude a habit 

If you want to truly transform your life (this idea is described in detail in Jennie Potter's book, "Self Sabotage No More") you will make gratitude a daily practice. After working with Jennie on her book, I stopped waiting for Thanksgiving to roll around and started doing it daily.   

As I walk our dog Peppers each morning, I list out loud 25 things that I am grateful for. Sometimes I'll mix it up and make it 25 people (you, our readers are always on that list!) Sometimes it's random things in our house like the bed, the shower, my office. Sometimes it's gratitude for my feet that can walk, my eyes that see, and sometimes it's a mixture of anything that comes up for me. The neighbors probably wonder why I'm always mumbling to myself. And instead of complaining that I have to take heart medication twice a day, I'm grateful to have it, it's on the list. That makes me able to look at the negatives in life in a positive way.     

4... Magnet for abundance 

Alexander Graham Bell said, "When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us." It's like being so upset about missing the bus you miss the next one, too. A grateful mindset allows you to see the other possibilities and helps attract more positive outcomes into your life. 

Our world is obsessed with results. When you learn to appreciate the journey, including the setbacks, then the pursuit of opportunities becomes a fulfilling and enriching experience. Gratitude is the bridge to do that.