How to Become Your Biggest Cheerleader

"She believed she could, so she did." This is one of my favorite mantras, and I wear it everyday on a MantraBand to remind myself that any goal starts with your belief. Be your biggest cheerleader, by creating a fountain of of self-confidence, support, enthusiasm and self-respect that flows from within. Incorporate these 3 easy strategies into your morning routine and you'll start your day with more energy and optimism, even before the coffee kicks in. Here's how:

Daily Reflection

STEP 1: Every morning, rather than reaching for your cell phone to check Facebook or emails, take two minutes for reflection. Whether it's out loud, or in your head, take a deep breathe to wake up your mind and set your intentions for the day.

STEP 2: Think of 10 reasons why you're amazing-- from your kind nature, to your killer parallel parking skills, to your freshly washed hair (sometimes this is a HUGE achievement). This might feel uncomfortable at first, but you're training that inner-cheerleader, and the more you have fun with this, the easier it will become. Personally, I shout out how amazing I am to my reflection in the mirror and I can't help but smile (she also doesn't judge, with is a bonus).

STEP 3: While standing in front of the bathroom mirror, or while still in bed, visualize a team of cheerleaders cheering you on: “GO [Your Name Here] GO! You are BRAVE! You are BEAUTIFUL! You are STRONG! You are ENOUGH.” Yes, you will definitely feel silly, but there is no one but your inner-voice judging. Your personal cheer should meet your needs and can change, depending on what you need to get through the day. This will be your first mantra that, after you repeat enough, will start to become second nature. 

We are often our biggest critic, but we can also be our biggest cheerleader. Learn to recognize the self-criticism and mark it as such, then dismiss it. If you don't recognize criticism as such, you're at risk of taking it to be reality. This is the danger zone. Learn to toss the criticism in the trash can. Believe in yourself and start treating yourself like you'd treat your best friend, with love, support and encouragement.

 

Vision Boards: Let's Get Crafty

Speaking of belief, I can NOT believe that we're already half way through the year and I find myself constantly saying "How is it the end of the month already?" It's so easy to get caught up in daily routines and the grind of a demanding corporate career, never to come up for air or to take a step back and actually ponder what your life has become. I don't mean to get existential here, I just mean to encourage you to take your foot off the gas for a minute and make time for daily, or even weekly, reflection.

I'm a visual learner, so I find it helpful to create a vision board to guide my goals in all aspects of my life, including career, family, health and spiritual growth. Your vision board should be personal and there is no right or wrong way to do it, get creative! Take a peek at my vision board for 2017 and then read here to learn how to create your own vision board.