Friday 13 April - Photographs and Memories

Going through my childhood photograhps not only brings back the precious memories of a carefree and peaceful time, but it brings a sense of accomplishment. Not so much of possessions or anything wordly, but of friendships, relationships and peoples’ lives that i have touched and who have influenced me in return. How can we ever put a price on that?

Memories is the one thing that can never be taken away from us. And what better way to keep those memories alive than with photographs. When last did you take the time to go through old photo albums with your loved ones? In the hustle and bustle of our busy lives we so often forget to make time for making memories and to dwell on the beautiful ones already made. I recall the words of John Lennon: “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”

Make Friday 13 April a date for creating special memories with a friend or your loved ones. You can have professional photographs taken by Susan du Toit at Rosemary Manor, while enjoying excellent food and beautiful trinkets in our shop.

We promise to make it a day to remember in true Rosemary Manor style!

Top Strategies for Balancing Work and Personal Life

In life and in business, most women typically have to wear many hats – that of partner, mother, daughter, career-woman, home-maker, care-taker, girl-friend…. You name it! Achieving a balanced and more fulfilled life is not always easy, yet some woman seem to pull off this juggling act better than others – How do they do it? 

There is no single formula for achieving work-life balance – It is pretty much a personal decision of how you integrate the various areas of your life, as well as the ability to formulate creative solutions as you approach the challenges of multiple responsibilities and roles. The reality is that the same skills and strategies that are used in the workplace, such as communicating, planning, delegating, networking and organising, can be used on a personal front to achieve better balance. 

Here are some of my specific strategies that can help you achieve a more satisfying, fulfilling and well-balanced life, both professionally and personally (not that I always manage to get it all done myself!)

1. Firstly, take care of the Basics – You are your greatest asset and you need to take care of your personal health and wellness. With proper nutrition, adequate sleep and physical activity, you will get the energy to sustain yourself and get more things done! I personally find that I get a lot more done on days where I had an early start with exercise and healthy breakfast!

2. Build a Support Network. You cannot do it all on your own. Ask for help and allow others to help you. A good network of friends, family, colleagues and your community is invaluable!

3. Get off the Guilt-trip. Guilt can emotionally paralyze you and is one of the greatest drains on emotional energy. Use logic reasoning to counter-balance guilt – rather focus on the benefits of your current work-life situation, than only the draw-backs.

4. Get Organised. Good organisation enables you to work smarter and not harder. Implement simple systems and checklists to get routine work done, keep a visible schedule or calendar to coordinate personal and professional activities of the entire household, and steer clear of clutter. Everything should have its own place at office and at home.  If this seems like an impossible task, why not enlist the help of a personal organiser or assistant to help you de-clutter and get organised?

5. Set your own Standards. Is it really necessary to be a perfectionist on all fronts? Is it worth spending 80% of your time to get only 20% of the result? Learn to let some standards go, as long as it does not compromise yourself, your loved-ones and your employer.

6. Be Flexible. Organisation and control are usually good, but you also need to be flexible. We will always be confronted with changes to original plans. It is much easier to change our attitudes and get into creative problem-solving mode than to change unfolding circumstances.

7. Communicate! With effective communication it is so much easier to manage expectations, set clear personal and professional boundaries and avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. If we are able to verbalise what it is that we want, it is much easier to get it! Effective communication can help us to negotiate for better terms both at work and at home! (But we do not always do it!)

8. Set aside Time for Yourself. To be a good parent, partner and professional, you need to be good to yourself first. A good strategy is to create some quiet time for yourself on a daily basis where you can energise, clear your mind, develop you gratitude attitude and set positive affirmations! You only need 10 to 15 minutes a day, preferably before you dive into the hustle and bustle of the day!

9. Seek opportunities for Quality Time. If you do not have a lot of time with your loved ones, get creative to make the most of the time spent together. Create rituals to strengthen relationships with you partner, children, family and friends. This can be as simple as a regular date-night, special family meals, a weekly outing to the local farmers market, or even a circle of friends weekend-away once a year! Rituals build memories – and that is all that remain once the time has gone…

Achieving a better work-life balance is not something that your boss, your partner or anyone else can create for you. You need to take action to change if balance is truly near and dear to you.

Let me give you a challenge if you want to improve YOUR work-life balance – On a blank sheet of paper, write down at least 3 things that you want to change to improve your work-life balance (for example - Take Friday afternoons off; or Institute a weekly games night with the family; or Create your own 15 minutes quiet time daily….it your choice). Write down the specific actions that you will take to do this, as well as a target time frame BY WHEN you want to have completed it. Share this with someone significant in your life, then DO IT. Start by taking PERSONAL RESPONSIBILTY for change in your own life today!

About the Author: Gina Mostert is a business success strategist and coach who works with executives, entrepreneurs, business owners and independent professionals to plan for success, get more organised and take decisive action to get results.

By creatively combining the best of consulting, coaching and mentoring, she helps clients to define exactly WHAT they want to be, have or do in business and HOW they intend to get there. She is the developer of the 8 Essentials for Business Breakthroughs Program for Small Businesses.

Links: gina.mostert@inovizion.co.za or www.inovizion.co.za

Market 2 March, 09h00 - 17h00

Birds of a Feather

What comes to mind first? The proverb “Birds of a feather flock together” or all the beautiful arts, crafts and vintage items with birds as a theme. Rosemary Manor will be catering to everyone’s taste this Friday!

We will be flocking together with all the wonderful like minded people who regularly join us at the market. There will be beautiful theme specific products and the tea garden will cater for more than birdfeed (pardon the pun!).

Getting back to the more academic side of things. This proverb has been in use since at least the mid 16th century. In 1540, the version of it in his papist satire The Rescuing of Romish Fox: “Byrdes of on kynde and color flok and flye allwayes together.”

The phrase also appears in Benjamin Jowett’s 1856 translation of Plato that were present in the original Greek text then, at around 380BC, Plato’s shows earlier reference to it. What appears in Jowett’s version is: “Men of my age flock together; we are birds of a feather.”

Plato’s  text can be translated in other ways and it is safe to say it was just around 380BC, that considered the phrase to be old. The lack of citation  in the 16th Century does tend to suggest that its literal translation wasn’t a text that was widely read by English scholars of the classics well before.

In nature, birds of a single species do in fact frequently form flocks. Ornithologists explain this behaviour as a “safety in numbers” tactic to reduce their risk of predation. In language terms, it was previously more common to refer to birds flying together than flocking together and many early citations use that form, for example Philemon Holland’s translation of Livy’s Romane historie, 1600: “As commonly birds of a feather will flye together.”

We are looking forward to spending a glorious day under the yellowing leaves of autumn with you. Sure to be accompanied by our feathered friends over head in the treetops.Join us for the fun and fellowship associated with Rosemary Manor and the rest of the people of the (Lynn)wood.

Spring Greens and Camembert Tart

1 roll shortcrust pastry

4 eggs, beaten

150 ml cream

1 bunch leaks

½ onion

handful of spring onoins, shredded

1 clove of garlic

Olive oil

1 pack camembert cheese, sliced into wedges

½ cup shaven biltong

Preheat the oven to 200

Roll the pastry and line a 23 cm flan dish

Bake blind for 10 – 15 minutes

Whisk the eggs and cream in a large bowl

Fry the leaks, onion and garlic in olive oil and add to the eggs and cream

Stir in the spring onoins

Season to taste with salt and pepper

Scatter the camembert slices and the shaven biltong over the pastry shell

Pour in the filling

Bake 25 – 30 minutes

Serve as a light meal with a side salad

Romantic Rose         

3 February 2012               

09h00 – 17h00

 “The rose speaks of love silently in a language known only to the heart” Anonymous

In this world of speed and pressure we need to make an intentional decision to slow down and smell the roses.

At the beginning of another fantastic year full of challenges – we at Rosemary Manor commit ourselves to creating a oasis of peace, beauty and serenity.

We invite you to join us this week in the tranquil and creative atmosphere at the Manor.

Roses are the ultimate symbol of natural beauty and romance. In decor as well as crafts people have embraced the rose as an expression of passion and life for many centuries. In both literature and art the colour and shape of the rose has inspired many masterpieces.

“The fragrance of the rose stays in the hand of the giver”

Anonymous

Join us this Friday and experience the romantic presence of the rose. Our tea garden will provide you with a culinary feast. Bring a friend and take a break after the frenzied start of 2012.

Gevulde murgpampoentjies

6 GROOT murgpampoentjies

½ ui

1 knoffelhuisie, opgekap

250 g sampioene

½ koppie cheddarkaas, gerasper

Olyfolie

Sout en peper

• Voorverhit oond tot 180
• Bak die murgpampoentjies 30 – 40 minute of tot gaar
• Sny die murgpampoentjies middeldeur in die lengte en verwyder die pitte
• Braai die sampioene, knoffel en ui in die olyfolie en voeg die pampoenpitte by
• Geur met sout en peper
• Skep die bogenoemde mengsel terug in die holtes van die murgpampoentjies
• Strooi die kaas oor en plaas terug in die oond totdat die kaas gesmelt is

Bedien saam met braaivleis of dien op as 'n voorgereg. Lekker eet!!

Red Velvet Cupcakes

2,5 cups of flour
2 cups sugar
0,5 cup cocoa
1 t baking soda
2 tablespoons butter
5 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 t vanilla
1 t red food colouring
1/4 t salt

• Mix the flour, baking soda and salt
• Cream the sugar and butter in a separate bowl and add the eggs
• Fold the dry ingredients into the sugar, butter and egg mix
• Mix the cocoa, butter milk, vanilla and food colouring and add to the rest
• Bake at 180 for 12 minutes
• Decorate with white icing and red cherries

Rosemary Manor Market 2 December – Feast of Crimson

We would like to thank all our valued customers (friends) who enjoy all things bright and beautiful with us at Rosemary Manor. We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our loyal exhibitors for their beautiful ceative work throughout the year.

Join us on Friday 2nd December for delicious Rosemary Manor food and beautiful clothes, jewellery, trinkets and gifts. Our theme for December is “Feast of Crimson”. What better way to celebrate life and the successes of the past year, and what better colour than in bright red!

There will be no themed market in January 2012, but we will have our first mini market on 20 January from 09:00 until 12:00 for those of you who miss us too much! Our next full day market will be on the 3^rd of February from 09:00 until 17:00 with the theme ‘Romantic Rose’.

We hope to see you on Friday!

Your Life and Work - Is it time to Change?

Do you wake-up daily with mental ENERGY and PASSION to take on your professional challenges or does your heart sink into your shoes at the prospect of another day on the job or work-place?

Well, there are times in all of our lives and careers when we reach a crossroad. In which direction should we go? Some individuals will actively look for the next step, while others will hang around, waiting for the next step to come to them.  

It is possible to have a career or business that ignites your professional passion and a life where you have personal power. You need to BELIEVE that it can be done and align your MINDSET accordingly. By defining priorities and then setting clear goals, strategies and actions, AND implementing these one step at a time, you can reclaim the life and career that you envisage.

Use the following simple steps as guidance:

1. Define your Priorities

Just who are you and what do you want? What are you passionate about? Start out by making a list of what is important to you – your broad values and priorities. By having these close at hand, it becomes much easier to make choices and decisions that are aligned to your personal preferences, values and life-style choices.

2. Define your Goal

Sure, you may have lots of good intentions, but you cannot get what you want until you actually describe what it is. Envisage what it is that you would want to be, have and do, if there were no obstacles in your way. Give yourself the liberty to dream. Brainstorm and write it all down. Finally, summarise your goal in a few powerful words – the one-liner that you can immediately recall when asked at any time!

3. Explore Your Options

What did you learn about yourself and your goals in the previous steps? What are your alternatives? Do you stay, leave or move to something new? What are the implications? Take your insights and turn them into explicit career and workplace choices. Do research, link up with contacts you know, or solicit advice from trusted experts in the field. EXPLORE and ASK – you need to be action-oriented.

4. Create a Plan of Action

Next you need to get a PLAN. Reflect on what you gathered from the previous steps and define broad steps to achieve your desired outcome. 4 – 6 broad steps is a good guideline. Next you need to break each broad step down into smaller, executable actions and diarise or schedule these. Look at:

·         WHAT I want (Specific Outcome or Result)

·         By WHEN will I get it?

·         ACTIONS that I will take to get there (Specific Actions or Tasks)

·         WHAT ELSE will I need to complete the task?

5. Implement It

To keep the energy and momentum going, you need to set daily, weekly and monthly tasks or actions. Follow through and persevere. Step-by-step you will be moving towards your goals. If something is not working, make the resolution up front that you will try something else, but KEEP GOING!

6. Complete!

Track your progress and celebrate your achievements. Give yourself credit for making the changes. 

A final comment – Remember, CHANGE is often painful, but it begins with the acknowledgement that you are the author of your own life story. Insight and knowledge alone do not create change. ACTION leads to new experiences and new behaviours, which lead to change. Lasting change requires more ACTION.

About the Author: Gina Mostert is a business success strategist and coach who works with executives, entrepreneurs, business owners and independent professionals to plan for success, get more organised and take decisive action to get results.

By creatively combining the best of consulting, coaching and mentoring, she helps clients to define exactly WHAT they want to be, have or do in business and HOW they intend to get there. She is the developer of the 8 Essentials for Business Breakthroughs Program for Small Businesses.

Links: gina.mostert@inovizion.co.za or www.inovizion.co.za

"Beach House" Rosemary Manor Mark Vrydag 4 November 8-5

RUSPLEK

Daar is ‘n plek waar elke mens

 sy vrede vind, sy rus beding

Dis groot en luuks of klein en knus

Daar vind jy altyd  jou vreugde en rus

Die salige vrede gemeng met die sprei

Langs bruisende waters is jy vir ‘n oomblik weer vry

Later terug onder knellende druk

Onthou dan die son, see en ‘n stukkie geluk.

Elkeen van ons kan doen met ‘n breek van alles wat altyd so dringend is. Hierdie maand gaan ons ‘n oomblik spandeer en ons verbeel dat die einde van die jaar nie soos ‘n weghol trein op ons afpyl nie. Kom geniet ‘n paar uur van vakansie pret en wegbreek vreugde saam met ons. Vrydag gaan daar heelwat nuwe stalletjies wees en ons mark het ‘n lekker buietlug atmosfeer.

Rosemary Manor Mark

Vrydag 4 November 8 - 5

345 Rosemary straat

Lynnwood

VICTORIAN JEWELS

One of outstanding features of the Victorian Age was the interest in the culinary art! During our theme research we found this very simple and quick alternative to the Fruit cake. Try this recipe and impress your friends during the build up to seasonal celebrations!

Mini Fruit Cakes

1 1/2 cup diced candied fruit
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup brandy or apple juice
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter
1 egg
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup walnuts
Candied cherries for garnish
Melted apple jelly for glaze

Marinate fruits and raisins in brandy or juice overnight. Cream sugar, butter and egg. Sift together flour, soda, salt and spices;stir in. Mix in walnuts and marinated fruits. Spoon batter into miniature muffin tins lined with baking cups. Fill 3/4 full. Top each with cherry.

Bake at 140'C for 30 minutes. Remove from tins, brush top with brandy or juice while warm. Cool. Store in airtight container. Before serving, brush tops with jelly.
Makes 5 dozen.

ROSEMARY MANOR MARKET FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER 9-5

This month Rosemary Manor is celebrating the Age of Victoria. This is the period from around the 1830’s to the beginning of World War II. Nearly all the modern day inventions e.g. cars, telephones electricity had their birth in this period, not that that has anything to do with our celebration. We are focusing on the splendour, crafts, fashion, culinary trends and social activities.

The Victorian culture included local fresh produce markets in all the little hamlets and towns as well as well established produce markets in bigger cities. All ingredients were bought fresh and served as soon as possible. The focus was on seasonal produce. This resulted in wonderful flavourful dishes made with the best of what was available. This rings a bell when we consider the present trends in cooking. Out with artichokes from Timbuktu and in with what is in season.

You will notice our fresh strawberries and chocolate kebabs and seasonal salad on the menu. Smoothies made with fresh fruit taste so good when enjoyed in the exhilarating sun of a spring morning. Another culinary delight that was part of the Victorian age was dainty cakes and treats enjoyed by lady friends in the parlour. Our Cherry Ganache cupcakes will hopefully take you back to a time of  tea parties and croquet on the lawn.

I include the article on the wedding of Prince Edward and Princess Alexandra. It was so refreshing to read about a girl who won over a very stuffy court with her innovative and creative approach to protocol. Here at Rosemary Manor we love to improvise and share with friends all that is beautiful and creative and uplifting to the heart!

The Crown Prince of England and the 18 year old Princess of Denmark wed 1863.

Lacking royal jewels, the beautiful princess wore a tiara of white orange blossoms with cascades of orange blossoms and myrtle on her dress.  The lack of jewels was speedily remedied as the gifts to the bride from Queen Victoria and the groom, HRM Prince Edward Albert, included stunning royal jewels from the farthest reaches of the Empire.

Soon after the death of her beloved Prince Albert, Queen Victoria began the search for a wife for her eldest son, Crown Prince Edward Albert.  She found the perfect Princess - only one problem, she was only 15 years old; the lovely Princess Alexandra of Denmark.  

The Prince had to wait till her 18th birthday.  Her arrival in London by ship drew thousands.  The royal cortege welcomed her to the Palace, in the same carriages recently used in the 2011 Royal Wedding.  The Princess Alexandra chose to wear a white court gown, reflecting Queen Victoria’s first white wedding in the history of England.  The courageous Danish bride faced British nobility without a pearl and won their hearts, adorned with white blossoms.

She wore a 21 foot train, (Diana’s was 25 ft, modelled after the Danish Princess) and honoured her new homeland by selecting “an opulent creation” of British design - a white court gown of Honiton lace, adorned with Roses, shamrocks and thistles, emblems of England, Ireland and Scotland.

An athletic young woman and expert horsewoman, Alexandra enjoyed the dangerous sport of tandem driving, with a fast pair of horses and lightweight carriage. She was fond of dancing and ice-skating and Queen Victoria was horrified to find that she enjoyed hunting (and asked her to stop, without success). Even after the birth of (six) children, she continued her active life.  

Always spirited and courageous, Alexandra devoted her life to charitable works, sparing Queen Victoria public appearances.   After six children, her waist was as dainty as ever, smile as welcoming.  Upon the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, Albert Edward became King-Emperor as Edward VII, with Alexandra as Queen-Empress consort.  And thus was the beginning of the 10-year Edwardian Era.

©2011 by Patrice LePera ~ Authority, Victorian Era, Historical Writing ~ www.afterimage-art.com

Papawersaad en wit sjokolade koek met meringues en bessies

 3 ekstra groot eiers
1,5 k strooisuiker
0,5 k olie
1 k gewone joghurt
0,5 k papawersaad
1 k klapper
1 k bruismeel

Klits die eiers en voeg die suiker stadig by.
Voeg die olie en joghurt by en meng goed.
Meng die papawersaad, klapper, bruismeel en sout en voeg by die bogenoemde om 'n slap deeg te vorm.
Voer twee 19 cm panne uit met bakpapier.
Bak 30 - 35 minute by 180 grade celsius.
Laat die koeke afkoel en keer uit.

Versiersuiker:

200 g wit sjokolade
0,5 k versiersuiker
O,25 k melk
2 e botter
0,5 t vanilla

Smelt sjokolade, versiersuiker en melk in 'n dubbelkoker.
Voeg botter en vanilla by.
Roer en laat effens afkoel
Voeg ekstra versuiker by indien nodig.

Versier die koek met die versiersuiker, meringues en bessies.

Lekker eet!

Professional Passion – Are you Fired-up or Burnt-out?!

I have a personal motto that “Life is too short not to love what you are doing”. Unfortunately, many professionals have not yet discovered their true passions and purpose, let alone aligning their business, career or life choices to these.

Let’s take a closer look at PROFESSIONAL PASSION – It is not only the fuel that gets us out of bed in the morning, but it is also an essential differentiator in determining our probability to succeed in the long-run! Passion energizes us, makes us creative and keeps us motivated, even when things are tough. It sustains us on our journey towards our professional dreams and goals…

Here is my take on three top characteristics of professional passion:

1. It is a powerful energy source. Passion is the fuel that gets us fired-up. I know we cannot always have everything in our professional lives, but if you are not pretty passionate about WHAT you are doing, WHO you are working with, WHEN, WHERE and HOW you are doing it, chances are that you will feel pretty exhausted soon – even burnt-out! 

Make professional decisions to get closer alignment with your professional passion – it will fill you up with the right emotional fuel!

2. It is a critical differentiator.  Regardless if you are an executive, an employee in the workplace, or an entrepreneur in business, passion is a key differentiator. Let me give you an example: Compare two individuals in the workplace – they have more or less similar talents, experience and skills. One ABSOLUTELY loves what he or she is doing, the other likes it, but not as much as the latter.… Guess who is more likely to succeed or get the promotion? 

Yes, passion connects you with your vision and will help you to maintain focus when it is needed! It will keep you going when others are giving up.

3. It is contagious. Another amazing characteristic of passion is that it rubs off. If you hang out with passionate people, you will be touched and inspired by the energy they radiate. If YOU are passionate, you can transfer your energy to others, impacting their lives in a positive way. 

Choose your friends wisely and stay connected with passionate and positive people!

Here is my business challenge to you today: 

Take a reality check: If you are fired-up about your business or career, GREAT – keep the positive energy flowing. 

If not, think about the WHY, WHAT, HOW, WHO, WHERE and WHEN of your business or career. What is it that needs to change? What action do you need to take? What can you do, starting today?

If you are stuck, get in contact with a mentor or professional that can help you to:

-          Get better insights into your Thinking and Professional Preferences (e.g. Whole Brain Profiling)

-          Dream big and define the goals

-          Take the first steps – you do not always have to know the HOW TO, before your decide to commit to a professional dream

You are ultimately responsible for creating the life and career you want! Get out and restore your professional passion.

About the Author: Gina Mostert is a business success strategist and coach who works with executives, entrepreneurs, business owners and independent professionals to plan for success, get more organised and take decisive action to get results.

By creatively combining the best of consulting, coaching and mentoring, she helps clients to define exactly WHAT they want to be, have or do in business and HOW they intend to get there. She is the developer of the 8 Essentials for Business Breakthroughs Program for Small Businesses.

Links: gina.mostert@inovizion.co.za or www.inovizion.co.za

Rosemary Manor Market Friday 2 September – Different Shades of Pale

It is again time for a relaxing day at the monthly Rosemary Manor Market. Our theme for this month is ‘Different Shades of Pale’. Often in the absence of bright colour we find the peace and quite that is missing in our busy lives. When painting I experience a keen awareness of colour by trying to steer clear of using it. One of the often used slogans at Rosemary Manor is “Peace and Tranquillity is a choice”. We must consciously choose to focus on that which provides a sense of quite.  When the demands of life  force us to live at a fast pace it is often the effect of neutral colour and  peaceful sound that calms you down.  All our creative artists used the theme as a guideline to bring about wonderful new works of art.

We will have our usual tea garden with delicious home baking  and cuisine. Don’t forget our famous home made lemonade and ginger beer.

For those of you who missed our Spring Sale, we also have the different shades of sale! Join us for some bargain hunting and buy beautiful things at the best prices (you can always call it early Christmas shopping.)

WONDERFUL NEWS!!!

From this Friday you can do your fresh product shopping at Rosemary Manor every Friday morning from 8-11. Bring that beautiful provencal basket that you never had a use for and join your friends and acquaintances at a rural market right on your doorstep.

There is no reason to wait for your next visit to Tuscany to experience the thrill of a local market! You can enjoy a cup of coffee and our famous muffins and cake while drinking in spring under the bright green foliage of our courtyard trees.   

We hope to see you all on Friday for some heart warming food, beautiful things and excellent company!

Gerlinde, Liesl & Mignon

Why you need a Gratitude Attitude

Gratitude, or the emotion of appreciation and joy in response to receiving a gift, is one of the basic ingredients for experiencing a good life.  Research in recent years has indicated that an attitude of gratitude has many benefits, including improving mental and physical health.  But that’s not the only benefit. In business, gratitude enables us to maintain a mindset of positive expectation, attract opportunity and move into our higher professional purpose.

Studies over the last decade found that adults who regularly feel grateful have increased energy and optimism, more social connections and are happier than those who do not. They're also less likely to be envious or greedy, PLUS they often earn more money!

In life and in business, I’ve learnt that when you continually focus on what you lack and don’t appreciate what life brings your way, you become vulnerable. That causes negativity, because you feel deprived and resentful about things you don’t have.  Gratitude, on the other hand, brings about an inner shift when you acknowledge what is working in your life!  It supports a mindset of abundance.

Here are six gratitude techniques I personally use in my own life and business:

Keep a Success and Gratitude Journal. Writing down and reflecting on your successes on a daily and weekly basis provides a real sense of achievement.  Nurture gratitude by writing down at least five things you have achieved and can be grateful about each day. Some days your list will contain wonderful things, but on rough days you might find it very hard to even think of one!  Just keep on doing it anyway!

Send Thank-You notes. This sounds old-fashioned, but nothing is as powerful as a sincere, handwritten thank-you note sent through the mail. Personally, I like to thank my clients for the opportunity to work with them and be part of their success journey.

Use positive, uplifting language to express gratitude where you can, like thanking a colleague who makes you coffee or the cheerful petrol pump attendant.

Communicate thankfulness. Identify individuals for whom you are especially grateful and tell them about it. You can make a phone call, write a letter or even send a text message. Be specific about what he/she has done for you and how it has positively impacted your life. Acknowledging another’s contribution will be gratifying to you both!

Always look for the “bright side” or seek the opportunity in any given situation, especially when life gives you something which might not be what you expected.

Use Gratitude Affirmations. I write affirmations down in my Success and Gratitude Journal every week and repeat these when busy with repetitive or tedious tasks, e.g. during a workout or while running.

Melody Beattie captures gratitude’s magic beautifully: "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."

Your professional challenge: How can you use these techniques to increase gratitude levels personally and within your business? Let me know how they help you!

About the Author: Gina Mostert is a business success strategist and coach who works with executives, entrepreneurs, business owners and independent professionals to plan for success, get more organised and take decisive action to create better business results.

By creatively combining the best of consulting, coaching and mentoring, she helps clients to define exactly WHAT they want to be, have or do in business and HOW they intend to get there. She is the developer of the 8 Essentials for Business Breakthroughs Program for Small Businesses.

Links: gina.mostert@inovizion.co.za or www.inovizion.co.za