There has been a lot of talk on gratitude lately, don't you think? Personally, I think it it one of the coolest things around, and one thing I now ask my clients to do way early on is to keep a gratitude journal, just somewhere to jot down some really cool things about that day, or the last few days if you aren't able to commit to daily entries. It is something that I truly believe makes a difference around creating more good stuff in your life!
One of the best things about writing a book is the acknowledgements section!
It's a really nice way to get present to the extraordinary people in your life. There are so many other things that we can be grateful for, eg our health (I had a mammogram earlier this week, and got the all clear; I make sure I celebrate that, because we can so take our wellness for granted), our lifestyle (this piccie was taken a couple of weeks back at a wonderful family holiday in Paihia in the Bay of Islands) our career opportunities and our stuff. But it's the people who I think we are most grateful for, and today I am going to do some shout outs, and because it's my birthday I am taking the liberty of commandeering my own newsletter for the cause....
Firstly, I am so grateful for my husband Geoff McLay. Marriages are tricky things to navigate, and I think it pretty normal to have some ups and downs. I am so grateful that we are presently in a very cool rock solid place, because we have been in communication AND 'done the work' on ourselves. Sadly it is quite an epidemic right now for one partner to outgrow another, and I think if someone is unprepared to do some self reflection and personal development (whatever that looks like for them) then they need to understand that they do risk being 'left behind' as callous as that sounds.
My wonderful coach, Sally Anderson. If you want to know why, watch 60 Minutes on Monday night (3 August) 8:30pm on Prime. She was featured 10 years ago on this documentary and it was the most watched episode ever. This is a whole episode dedicated to Sal and her vision and is ESSENTIAL VIEWING for those of you in NZ. She is also hosting an incredible one day empowerment workshop, Auckland Friday 4th September and Sydney, Tuesday 25 August. If you would like to be at my table for the Auckland event, please let me know (tickets are $275 each if you come as my guest).
Thought Leader's Business School founders Matt Church and Peter Cook. These two are the real deal. Their vision and commitment to it is extraordinary, and I feel truly privileged to be part of the faculty. To say that Business School is life changing still doesn't seem to do it justice. And while I am at it, there are other faculty members and students who I am thrilled to have in my life, too many to mention but special shout out to Christina Guidotti, Amy Scott, Rod Buchecker, Dr Jason Fox, Scott Stein, Corrinne Armour, Simon Waller, Tracey Ezard, Vickie Saunders and Donna McGeorge.
My other family members, of course my children, and my immediate and extended family (including Geoff's family) and cussies. Special mention to my wonderful twin sister Josie Gillan who is now living in Sydney, so wonderfully close to me now, and our phone calls are way more frequent (and free!) with the time difference! I am in awe of her current quest and what she is creating. AND of course my lovely mum, who is so extraordinarily supportive of me ( and is always the first person I ring for a debrief after the Paul Henry Show sessions!).
And other friends too many to mention, but include (and not limited to - I don't want to miss anyone out!) Lynne Cazaly, Gabrielle Dolan, Scott Holdsworth, Sophie Bell, Wendy Brennan, Phil Holland, Terri O'Connell, Sonia Thursby, Sally Guest, Roger Te Tai, Lisa Militch, Karen Oates, Trish Robbins, Lucille Henry, Jasmine Platt, Rebecca Morris, Maree Tassell, Lenore Miller, Karlie Brown, Suzanne Kendrick, Blythe Rowe, Jan Stein, Mandy Beverley, Frederic Cherri, Janelle Fletcher, Natalie Cutler Welsh, Sheila Sutherland, Jenni Fernandez, Emma Kelly, Sandy Butler, Karen McMahon, Karen Agnew, Lindsey Dawson, Lynda Moore, Tanya McQueen, Beccy Banks, Sheree Nicolas, Kate Blaikie, Lisa Schofield, Lisa Reidie, Cathy Hicks, Othlie Cook, Sharon Wright, Julie North, April O'Hanlon, Melissa Barnett, Natalie Flynn, Di Sorrell, Denise Waller, Cath Henderson, Katie Robinson, Jo Vivian, Paul Letham, Kristin Moolman, Kim Charteris-Wright, Tonia Farquharson, Julie Kidman, Susan Parker and Sarah Gaffney.
Thank you for reading through my birthday rant, I am off to get my hair done this afternoon, and go celebrate!
And back on the Paul Henry Show most likely Wednesday next week for career challenges in your twenties, so do let me know if you have any cool OE (or equivalent) stories!
