Talane’s Blog of the Week, July 30, 2007

The Birthday Exercise

Recently, on my birthday, I took the day off, booked my toddler at the nursery for the day, left the baby with the nanny, grabbed my mother and headed off for a day of antique hunting—one of life’s great pleasures! I nabbed a few bargains and came home tired and happy. I think the last time I had a full day off to do something as frivolous and fun as shopping was a year and a half ago before Sophia was born. Nothing quite like a little retail therapy.

On every birthday, I write up my gratitude list and wish list. Gratitude for all the wonderful things that have happened over the past year, followed by my “fairy godmother” wish list for the coming year. I started off wishing the day would be sunny (it has been raining cats and dogs all summer in England) and, lucky me, it was. The next day it was back to rain again. It did make me feel like the sun came out for me personally—ha!

It was easy to figure out what to be grateful for—the biggest being the birth of my healthy, happy baby girl. The second biggest was the signing of a book contract with McGraw-Hill. The publishing process takes about nine months (same as a baby!), so my new book will come out sometime next year.

If you’ve never done this exercise, you don’t have to wait for your birthday to do it, any time is fine.

The BIRTHDAY Exercise

Today the stars are aligned in your favor so you may wish to do this fun birthday exercise. Take a few minutes to list all the achievements and accomplishments over your past birth year (see if you can come up with 20 or so) including things like making new friends, taking a holiday, visiting family, quitting a job you didn't like, etc. Then, light a candle and read aloud each item on the list. Let the sense of accomplishment soak in for each accomplishment and then read the next one. Then make a wish list for the new year—write down everything you wish—like kids make birthday wishes. Now, blow out your candle. Happy Birthday!

Enjoy!
Talane

P.S. By the way, this tip is a great way to effortlessly attract what you want.