From Merriam Webster:
Mantra (noun). A word or phrase that is repeated often or expresses the beliefs of a person or group.
I recently finished the book Fear Is My Homeboy by Judi Holler. I enjoyed her perspective of taking on fear and learning about her experiences. Throughout the book, she challenges the reader to take several actions that help with this. One of these is to create life and business mantras as an act of self-love. These sayings can be used to counter fear and doubt when they attempt to be the louder voices.
Mantras can apply to many situations. They can be simple sayings or favorite quotes to motivate you and move you forward to success. Some people have phrases directed at themselves such as “you are capable and worthy of change.” Others may consider ones to help them through a tough situation. A friend recently posted on social media about a bad experience her family is facing. She specifically shared mantras that they are focusing on to help them get through what’s happening. All of them are positive perspectives despite the challenges they are currently facing. No matter what you choose, mantras should be positioned to encourage and bring positivity to help center you. For leaders, you can also choose mantras with your team to motivate and guide them as they work on projects and key goals.
When I read this section of the book and started considering mantras to use, I immediately thought about one of my favorite quotes. In my early days as a trainer, I discovered one by Wayne Gretzky that is often used when talking about sales. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” While typically shared with salespeople, emphasizing the importance of taking every opportunity to get a deal closed, it also can be used for personal and professional goals. As I’ve shared in other posts, I am continuing to move forward with decisions for better health. If I don’t make the effort, I’m going to miss the benefits. Professionally, I use this quote when thinking about networking and trying new approaches for my team to support our unique audience of learners.
As previously mentioned, you can also make a list of simple statements that you can declare when you’re in a tough situation and need motivation or encouragement. These can be things like “I am a leader,” “I am capable of success,” or “I’ve got this.” Even if you don’t believe the statement in the moment, I’ve found that still declaring your mantras helps you push through the struggle and continue to move forward with the goal or task.
For me, I’m going to continue to take those shots. Because if I don’t, I’ve already missed the opportunity.
What mantras or sayings help you as a leader? Are there quotes that keep you going? Share in the comments!
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