Motivating Mini Mantras for 2008 - A Challenge!

Sometimes a short, simple affirmation…or mantra…can make a huge difference and leave an impact in its wake that can be felt for a lifetime.  One of the most inspiring stories of “overcoming an addiction” I ever heard involved such a mantra.  A young man overcame a serious drug and alcohol addiction and totally turned his life around.  He told me that he kept telling himself, “I will do this.”  When temptation tapped him on the shoulder, he’d encourage himself to look the other way by whispering, “I will do this.”  When it smacked him in the face, he’d yell, “I WILL do this!”

And he did.

As we motor toward 2008, I want to challenge all of you to come up with a 3 to 6 word affirmation to inspire and motivate the rest of us.  It can be one you’ve used, yourself, or it can be one you plan to adopt for 2008.

If you’re a blogger, I’d love for you to write a post centered around your mini mantra.  Then, leave a comment with a link directing us to your post.  If you aren’t a blogger, I still want to know your thoughts, of course!  So, leave your words of motivation in the comments as well.

My personal favorite mini mantra has become, ”Make it Happen.”  I love this mantra’s attitude - it doesn’t encourage us to wait around, hoping that what we want falls into our proverbial laps.  It refuses to let us take a passive or inactive stance in life.  It totally holds us accountable, and isn’t that how it should be?  “Make it Happen” reminds us that we are in the driver’s seat, as opposed to the backseat - meaning we have to relentlessly keep our hands on the steering wheel and steer our own lives in the direction we want it to go.

It doesn’t give us any wiggle room or permission to say things like:

• If only I had more time…
• I don’t have enough money…
• No one will help me!
• I can’t catch a break…
• I’m too old…
• I’m too young…
• I’m too frail…
• I’m too heavy…
• I’m not smart enough…
• I don’t know how…

If we were to even try to utter any of the phrases above, this mantra would stare us dead in the eye and firmly say, “Make it Happen” before we even got the words out.

I think that, probably, the reason this mantra appeals to me so much is because I need it so badly!  It just so happens that I am the most laid back person in the world. The title belonged to my dad, but when he passed away, I moved into the top spot.  In addition to that title, I’m also the stereotypical only child. I was spoiled off my butt when I was growing up, and frankly I embraced it.  If I had a mantra it then it would have been, “Someone will take care of that…” or “I’ll get around to it…”   But everyone grows up, right?  Even little spoiled brats!

Make it Happen is a firm reminder that if you want something to happen - it’s up to you to…… Make it Happen. 

I look forward to reading your own mantras and thoughts.  I realize it’s a very busy time of year, so if you only have time to post the mantra - go for it.  After all, a really good mantra is a lesson all on its own.

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