POSITIVE AFFIRMATION
"Today I will grow as a person, and it starts with kindness and determination."
START WITH A SMILE…
1. “There is no breaking down, only breaking through.” — Coach Cory
When I’m in a work meeting and there’s something at the tip of my tongue I want to say but I’m debating whether or not to say it - that’s when I know I’m at the difference between breaking down or breaking through.
It’s the uncomfortableness.
That’s why one of the best relationship tips for having better conversations and deeper friendships is to ask uncomfortable questions. That’s vulnerability and it’ll test the trust waters. Go deeper than asking, “How’s it going.” Try probing, almost prying questions like, “Are you satisfied with life these days? Why or why not? Best and worst part of your life right now.”
This quote from Coach Cory resonated with me because I recall when I started to run more, the first mile sucked. Knees hurt, cramp in my stomach, foot aches, etc. But after one mile, all the kinks would work out and it was (relatively) smooth gliding from there.
Don’t break down, break through.
2. “If you strain, you slow.” — Sanya Richards-Ross, Olympic champion
When I’m in a work environment, it clearly shows when I’m trying too hard. Perhaps I’m trying to act smart and nod so I don’t look like the imposter I think am. Or maybe I’ll dress up fancier to compensate for my low knowledge skills.
Trying too hard is straining and it’s unnatural.
“Every living organism is fulfilled when it follows the right path for its own nature.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Everybody knows that when running, your body should be relaxed - shoulders down, slight lean forward, with a little spring in your stride. It’s a fact that the run is more efficient and faster when there’s less straining. Think of tension anywhere in the body, like an angry face or stomping the ground. You need to believe you’re a gazelle, frolicking carefree. The same goes for when you’re anywhere, including in a work environment.
Find your natural style and let loose.
“We do not train power enough, one of the things we lose, as we age, as we chill, as we convince ourselves we aren’t athletes anymore.” - David Carson
Throwback to one of my favorite posts on Power - why we need physical power, personal power, and every kind of power!
(Keepin’ It Real)
➩ Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. A classic and full of wisdom.
➩ The Problem with Being Authentic, a leadership lesson on keeping it real.
➩ Someone who doesn’t have a problem being authentic is Jenna Ortega in Netflix’s Wednesday. Loved her recent skit on SNL, poking fun of the X-Men.
4. “You did that first set to get to this set.” - Coach Bec
A common phenomenon in a professional career is from the start, we take risks. We want to get noticed, so show gusto and initiative. Then we get promoted and become more politically savvy, and think much more about pros/cons, cost/benefits, return-on-risk. If we get promoted to even a higher level, then practically all risk goes out the window and it’s about survival. Don’t do anything dumb for the risk of being called out, and irreparably damaging more upward movement.
What a waste. We worked hard to get to that point.
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