Welcome to another episode where we dive deep into the habits, stories, and mindsets that keep successful people thriving.In today’s episode we sit down with Laura Baxter, an award‑winning opera singer turned performance coach, speaker, and author living in Germany. Laura shares the pivotal moment that reshaped her whole approach to gratitude: singing at a noble‑family wedding in a medieval chapel and realizing that being “grateful in the moment” is far more powerful than simply feeling grateful.From the highs of touring the U.S. with a national opera company to the challenges of restarting her career from scratch in Germany—auditions, a new family, and the sting of stage fright—Laura explains how a simple prayer before each performance kept her grounded. She reveals the tools that keep her centered, from the mantra “I choose love” taught by her mentor Nan Burt, to a compliment journal that transformed the way she receives praise.Resources:Laura's website: https://www.voice4leadership.de/us/Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code GRATITUDE to get UP TO $300 off today!Thank you so much for listening to The Gratitude Podcast! Please rate and review us everywhere you listen to podcasts, including Spotify & Apple Podcasts.Timestamps:03:37 – Why gratitude is the top emotion of successful leaders04:46 – Laura shares a pivotal gratitude moment in her life05:25 – Career shift: from a busy U.S. opera schedule to restarting in Germany06:52 – Wedding performance invitation and the noble‑family setting07:38 – Realization: be grateful in the moment; promise to pray before each singing gig08:29 – Recent concerts: reviving Copland’s “In the Beginning” and feeling gratitude09:13 – Details of the challenging a‑cappella piece and its difficulty09:45 – Finding the right choir (Volcante) despite doubts10:21 – Reflection on privilege and gratitude for rare performance opportunities10:39 – Gratitude applies to all professions, not just singers11:29 – Universal gratitude: from factories to farms, recognizing the gift of work12:31 – Influence of Emmett Fox’s positive‑thinking “seven‑day diet” on Laura’s mindset13:51 – Struggles to stay grateful during hard times; importance of pausing14:47 – Contextual gratitude amid global issues (refugees, daily life)15:15 – Encouragement to cultivate a habit of gratitude despite imperfections16:18 – Trigger: noticing complaints → instantly shift to gratitude16:42 – Habitual practice to overcome moments when gratitude feels hard17:09 – Question about a time Laura wasn’t truly grateful17:49 – Answer: being caught in the “rat race” and missing present‑moment gratitude18:30 – Stress of constant responsibilities and self‑doubt in a performance career19:01 – Description of the ultra‑difficult Copland piece and its history19:28 – Stage fright confession and its impact20:11 – Introduction to mentor Nan Burt (92‑year‑old “rocking chair” wisdom)20:38 – Nan’s gifts: books, “Love is Letting Go of Fear,” and the “I choose love” mantra22:34 – Mantra “I choose love” explained and its power23:03 – Using the mantra during the concert; inner transformation on stage24:07 – Realization of love’s role in performance confidence24:25 – Prompt: recall a moment lacking gratitude24:47 – Advice to younger self: live fully in the present, enjoy each minute25:42 – “Youth is wasted on the young” – savor the moment now26:03 – Call to be present, aware, and grateful in every instant26:42 – Book focus: Dealing with Divas – helping readers stay calm, centered, focused27:31 – Coaching executives on voice, body language, and inner presence28:06 – “Divas” as difficult personalities that disrupt our center28:47 – Four powerful states: forgiveness, love, play, gratitude29:27 – Personal anecdote: moving from scattered to centered power30:28 – People Laura is grateful for: Nan Burt, parents, collaborators, listeners31:19 – Quote: gratitude creates joy, not the reverse31:55 – Gratitude fuels success; without it success feels hollow32:44 – Contrast: highly successful yet unhappy people lack gratitude33:17 – Practical gratitude tools: stop complaining, imagine life without the annoyance34:05 – Journaling habit: daily reflections and a “compliment journal”35:08 – How recording every compliment reshaped Laura’s mindset36:37 – Importance of truly receiving compliments as gifts37:18 – Rewiring focus from negativity to positive acknowledgment38:08 – Book launch details: Kindle version free 8‑22 May 202438:33 – Offer explanation: free download, then paid physical/Kindle release39:16 – Redefining “diva”: relative to personal perception, not just dominant traits40:16 – Book structure: first half = inner strength; second half = understanding others & building bridgesExperience more abundance on georgianbenta.com/abundanceAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy