We’ve all heard the saying, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.” This is usually advice that’s supposed to guide how we treat others. But, honestly it should also guide the way we treat ourselves. We may think that the way we respond and interact with others is important (it most certainly is), but what we internalize and embrace in our individual minds and spirits is just as significant. It’s true that we all need that time of reflection to discern those areas of our lives that could use some improvement, but we should not get in the habit of being overly critical of ourselves and/or allowing guilt and disappointment from our decisions to poison our confidence and self-worth. It’s very easy to tell yourself you can’t do something or you’re not good enough. And sometimes we speak negatively about ourselves without even realizing that’s what we’re doing. All of that negative energy slowly begins to invade our hearts and rest in our minds as if it has a place there. But, just as we should make it a point to uplift and build others, we should also speak life, positivity, and triumph in our own lives. Anything you allow to grow and manifest in your mind will ultimately take root in your actions. You are imperfect, but important. You are unique, but not invisible. And how you see and think of yourself is power.
Tag: motivation
Monday’s Mantra: Pump Your Brakes
Life sometimes feels as though it’s moving at the speed of light. You’re running to this meeting. You’re volunteering for that event. You’re co-developing programs and content for business ventures. You’re leading a ministry. You’re sprinting out the door at 7:00 a.m. every morning and hoping you beat the traffic to the office. You’re baking cupcakes and cookies for your kids’ birthday party. You’re buying wood and building floating shelves because it looked easy (and cute!) on Pinterest. You’re driving to the grocery store with your significant other on Bluetooth trying to get him/her to find the list you posted on the refrigerator two nights ago. You’re checking in as Dr. Phil every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday trying to encourage and support your friends with advice. You’re working late (you really want a promotion). You’re meal prepping and browsing YouTube videos for new fitness routines. You’re literally trying to do EVERYTHING! Aren’t you tired? I mean I’m exhausted just thinking about it. And honestly, the list is never-ending. There’s always something else you have to do or somewhere you want to be to show you’re committed and you care. Each day that you spend overextended and tired, you lose a little bit of your heart, peace, and soul. While you’re running around taking care of everyone and everything, who’s taking care of you? Sometimes you have to pause, assess, and restructure. I know society wants all of us to believe that we’re only successful once we’ve proven we can juggle two hundred different balls in the air, but it’s really just an illusion that’s deflating our hope and dismantling our future. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to relax. And it’s okay to simply BE. If you live life in the fast lane, the true riches of life will pass you by.
Monday’s Mantra: Keep Trying
I work in a field that consistently requires originality. While my team always conducts the necessary research to ensure we’re not reinventing the wheel or making our tasks more difficult than they really need to be, we often have to utilize our combined knowledge and professional expertise to devise solutions and deliverables that meet our constituents’ needs. I think most of the time we all revel in challenge (and chocolate once it’s all said and done). But, I also know we’ve all had those moments when we found ourselves staring at the rapidly blinking cursor on a blank Word document trying to discern the best way to outline a framework, research findings, meeting content, or realistic program measures. In full transparency, I’ve probably had more of those moments than the rest of them.
When I was first hired at my organization, I was faced with a steep learning curve. While I had the foundational knowledge and skills to fulfill my job responsibilities, I knew very little about the environment and constituents I’d be serving. I remember one of the directors casually saying to me one day, “oh, it’s going to take you at least six months to feel like you have a handle on what you’re doing.” I gave her an affirming smile hoping that was something she said to all the new people to make them feel better about the pace of our work. But, whether those words were for comfort or not, I have no problem admitting she was 110% accurate! Although it was a rough start, I can look back now and celebrate all that I’ve accomplished. When I felt like I had nothing valuable to contribute, I “leaned in” (shameless plug for one of the books I read last year). When I had to draft a new idea or articulate key principles to constituents to improve the way they teach and had no clue how to approach it, I consulted knowledgable peers. When I just didn’t know or found myself confused, I asked. When I had writer’s block and/or kept re-reading the same sentence in a reference material, I found a snack, took a break, and then returned to my professional domicile. Basically, I never allowed the fear of the unknown or the thought that I might make a mistake hinder my completion of a task. I listened. I drafted. I partnered. I took chances. I sought guidance. But, most importantly, I tried.
In order to uncover the depth of your abilities, you have to commit yourself to things you’ve never done or that which you may be unsure about. You simply just have to go for it. Even if what you produce turns out to be completely wrong, your tenacity will be the reason you get another shot. And I can guarantee others will notice, and they’ll want you to help them replicate what they know you’ve now learned to do. You can’t succeed at anything you don’t try. Keep working. Keep building. Keep pursuing. Just keep trying.
Bella Reese 