[ CHALLENGE 1 ] MANTRA TO MOVE THROUGH LIFE
Every year, I pick a mantra, which is a phrase or word to represent the year and how I want to live it! I make business, personal, and life decisions around that word. Words in the past have been: fearless, believe, empowered, strength... and they definitely helped me be a better version of myself just by the power of the word.
One year my word was “faith” because I had lost all faith the previous year. I was totally on my knees after being betrayed by people who I thought were “family.” The rug was ripped out from beneath me. I was honestly not sure I could get up again.
I felt broken with my soul deeply bruised. I needed to learn to trust myself.
How did I end up down a dark alley with people who wanted to destroy me? I chose them. It was completely and utterly baffling to me. I honestly just wanted to give up. If this was the world, then it was too painful for me and I wanted out.
I came home from a particularly rough day and told my husband I was going to ask my business partner to let me out of my partnership. I didn’t know what I wanted to do (other than crawl in a dark hole and die.) Fortunately, my husband Les had faith in me when I did not. He said, “I know you. You will figure it out.”
Simple but powerful words I leaned on until I could believe it myself. That next year was about rebuilding my faith. I looked for the red flags in every decision I made. I listened to my inner voice that would warn me, nudging about situations, business decisions, and people I allowed in my inner circle. I learned I could trust myself.
I challenged my Mamas to do the same and pick a word or phrase to live by. One of my coaches, Lori picked “committed.” I love how she had chosen to use this word in her training for a triathlon. Running hill repeats one day, we were on our fifth hill and she shouted to me with a big smile on her face “I am committed” to finishing six hills today!” I loved hearing her enthusiasm, pride, and confidence proclaimed while pushing herself through to complete the hill! It was awesome! It is amazing what your one word can do.
What do you do with this mantra? You design your life using it as your guiding light, directing you both personally and professional-ly. When you have a decision to make – ask if it is in alignment with your mantra for the year.
Put it in a place where you will repeat it as your mantra – on your phone, post-it notes, screen saver, 3x5 index cards, on your desktop calendar, etc.