
Want to know the quickest route to getting yourself into a positive state? Pick up a notepad and pen and make a list of everything you’re grateful for! Once you shift your focus onto all the things you have to appreciate in your life it is almost impossible to remain in a negative state.
You can start with the basics like your home (even if you don’t love it you can be grateful for a roof over your head), your car, and your family. Then think about the things you have that many in the world don’t – such as hot running water to shower in, electricity, and a fridge full of food – to give you some perspective. You can list all the people you’re grateful to have in your life – your partner, friends, colleagues (well, the ones you like!), your children, and even people like your postman or the friendly receptionist at work. Once you’ve covered these bases you’ll be amazed at what else starts to flow out… money in the bank, your wardrobe, your best friend, and so on. Even your freedom and living in a democracy! And don’t forget to include all the experiences and opportunities you’re grateful for.
This is such a powerful exercise to stop and appreciate all the good that’s in your life, whatever negatives you may have going on. And we all have them, believe me, but it’s about where we place our focus and attention. Remember – energy flows where attention goes!
Gratitude and the Law of Attraction
Gratitude never fails to move you up the emotional scale and raise your vibration. And that’s how you get more of the good stuff – by consistently being at the higher end of the scale in a state of love, joy, positivity and appreciation. You can be grateful for all you’ve received so far in your life, grateful for all you currently have in the present, and grateful for all that’s yet to come and all the wonderful things you’ll receive in future.
I have all my clients follow this easy 5 step process when we start working together, and I encourage you to do it too:
- Start by taking a pen and paper and at the top write “I am so happy and grateful now that…”
- Now spend some time thinking about all the things you’re wanting to create or attract in your life and start writing them down – for example, a new partner, starting your own business, or a trip you want to take (more on intention setting in my blog about creating your own reality).
- As you’re writing it’s key that you really get into the state of feeling as though these things are already present in your life – feel all the good feelings you’ll experience when these things have manifested
- Come out of that and, starting at the top of another page, write “I am already grateful for…”
- Write down your current gratitude list
Review these lists often, and use the power of daily visualisation to get yourself in the state of feeling good as though everything you’re wanting has already come true. The key to the law of attraction is feeling good and happy now in the present! And, of course, you can add to both lists as and when more things occur to you – treat them as living breathing documents.
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. – Meister Eckhart
The more you start to build an attitude of gratitude into your daily life you’ll feel better more consistently. Often, as I’m going about my day, whenever something good or fortunate happens I will say thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s such a wonderful habit to practice, and the more you do this the more you will notice things to be thankful for. At the end of each day you can capture all the good things about that day in a gratitude diary – write down 3 things you’re grateful for that day (e.g. a lovely sunny day, yummy dinner, or seeing a film with a friend), 3 people you’re grateful to (e.g. your Mum for calling, the friendly checkout assistant in the supermarket, or your boss for thanking you for your efforts). Finally, to boost your self-esteem, write down 3 good or productive things you’ve done that day (e.g. a workout, gave a friend a lift, or went for a walk).
Play around with some of these techniques to find what works best for you, and remember to have fun with it! You’ll be amazed at what you start to bring into your life the more you practice appreciation and gratitude.

If you want to learn more about the power of gratitude in attracting the life you want for yourself, I highly recommend reading or listening to Rhonda Byrne’s The Power. While The Secret had its flaws and was too light on the topic of the Law of Attraction, The Power goes a little deeper and I – personally – found it more inspiring.