What is your leadership mantra?

A mantra is a short phrase that we repeat over and over to keep us on track.

It has to have personal meaning and can be used to lift our spirits, connect us to what’s really important and remind ourselves of our deepest potential.

A mantra keeps us focused on our goals and it’s especially good to have one when things are tough when we bombard ourselves with negative self-talk. That’s when using our mantra helps us combat the negativity with a positive reminder to keep pushing on, not give up.

For those of you who are rolling their eyes right about now… I know this can sound like hocus pocus!

However, there is a science here. Repeating a positive message can help to rewire your brain, actually causing physiological changes that reduce the perceived level of effort and increases endurance.

Worth trying, no?

I remember when I climbed Kilimanjaro (and it was really tough for me all the way through), I kept repeating to myself, “Just take one more step, you can do one more.”

Somehow, one step was always manageable. It didn’t matter how many “one steps” were still to come because I only needed to think of that next ONE. Repeating this over and over-focused me on moving forward, right until I arrived at the summit.

When you think about a leadership mantra, think about a phrase that will motivate you to push through tough times and lead yourself to your goal. Something that will get you to that next big thing.

What do you do to pull yourself out of the weeds when things don’t work out the way you’d hoped? The client that you thought was a definite “yes” disappears. The project you thought was a success, gets less than stellar feedback. Your team lets you down at the last minute, and your targets are not going to be met.

When things don’t work out, we know we can learn from experience and do it better next time BUT at the moment, when things are going badly, your leadership mantra, repeated over and over can give you the energy to pull you through.

In order for it to work, your leadership mantra needs to meet 5 conditions. It needs to be:

1. True (you have to believe it!)
2. Authentic (your own)
3. Meaningful (to you)
4. Easy to remember (short & simple)
5. Energising (powerful and positive

So give it a go – What is your mantra? Share in the comments

If you’re looking for a leadership mentor that will help you grow your leadership mindset and achieve your business goals, get in touch with us for one-on-one leadership coaching & mentoring.