***What is a Gratitude Journal?

Does this feel like a familiar experience to you?...

As a women entrepreneur in a moment of awareness and panic you realize it’s time to take some fast action to bring in some immediate income.

So you work extra hours, reach out to prospects, do a little networking and possibly stretch yourself to launch a program or two. 

Somewhere in the midst of all of this activity you start feeling exhausted because you’re working hard - yet you’re not creating the results (i.e., income) that you had hoped for.  You tell yourself, “It’s just not possible to make money in an aligned, balanced way.”  So you settle down for a much needed respite and break.

Unless you’re an adrenaline junkie this erratic way of working probably doesn’t serve you or your business. 

Instead the goal is to maintain your energy and inspiration so that you’re able to work in a more intentional, creative and consistent way.

My two absolute favorite tools for achieving this are to maintain a daily “Gratitude Journal” and a “Manifestation Journal.”

What exactly is a gratitude journal?

Here’s an example of how a gratitude journal works for me.

Every day when I get up I give myself full permission to engage in some precious “just-for-me” time.  I might light a candle or play some soft music and sip some tea.  I pull out my gratitude journal and I’ll write about two specific areas: 1) What I’m grateful for - sometimes I’ll write as many things as I can think of, other times I’ll write just 5 things.  And 2) I’ll write the sentence, “I am rich and happy because…” - and then list the ways that I am truly rich in my life. 

Sometimes I’ll describe things that have to do with money.  But more often I’ll journal about the intrinsic ways that I am truly rich and happy RIGHT NOW.  Sometimes I’ll find myself listing things like:

“I’m rich and happy because… 

• Of my awesome son
• The conversation I had yesterday with my husband
• Because I make the time in the morning to get exercise and go for runs or hikes

Tips and examples for keeping a manifestation journal

After I complete my gratitude journal I’ll often pull out my manifestation journal.  I don’t write in this journal every day, but I do write in it consistently several times a week. 

In my manifestation journal I’ll write about something that I’ve manifested in my life.  Sometimes I’ll write about manifesting money, income or clients with ease, a personal breakthrough, how I listened to my inner guidance or a leap that I was inspired to take that created phenomenal results in my business.
And then I’ll take just a few more minutes to read some sort of inspirational reading.  I love my quiet time in the morning!

Many of my clients have been truly amazed by how much they were manifesting after they started consistently keeping these two types of journals.  Sticking to this habit really supported them in taking the time to acknowledge all the things that they were accomplishing and all the things that were going well in their lives.  Otherwise they would get so busy that they weren’t able to see it!

If I, as a mother of a 2-year old, a wife and women entrepreneur can make time to keep a gratitude and manifestation journal– ANYONE can make time to do this.  All it takes just 10 to 20 minutes a day! 

Studies have shown that people who consistently make time to acknowledge what they’re grateful for report being significantly happier.   Not only that but a happier entrepreneur is more likely to consistently take inspired action, reach out to prospects and move beyond their comfort zone - because they feel more confident and secure.

I attribute my ability to breakthrough six-figures in six months to my daily gratitude and inspirational time.  Not only that but I stay consistently happy and inspired in my personal life – just ask my husband and colleagues!  : )

Try it out for yourself and see if you don’t notice a significant shift in your happiness levels, your creativity and your ability to increase your income and create more miracles in your business AND life!