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In the leadership program I run for primary school students, I not only teach them leadership tools but also share concepts to live their best life.
It may seem silly, but many of the ideas that resonate with these young people also resonate with seasoned leaders who are struggling to fit living in with their overflowing bucket of work and stress that leaves room for little else.
These affirmations are not hard to remember, nor are they hard to understand, but they are definitely powerful.
Four Affirmations to Live Your Best Life
Be the Remote (not the TV)
The average American household has access to nearly 200 TV channels. When you sit down in front of the TV and turn it on, you’re not at the mercy of whatever’s on the screen, right? If your child was watching SpongeBob earlier and then left the room, what do you do? You pick up the remote and change the channel.
If you’re the TV, you’re at the mercy of whatever’s on the screen. In your life that could mean staying in a soul-sucking job, sticking with a partner who treats you poorly, or keeping your dreams on the back burner until you magically have time for them .
When you’re the remote, you’re in control. In life that means you get to take action to change your story. You can start a job search, a side hustle, hang out with new people or whatever you want.
Be the remote.
Take off the Lid
Bullies and others try to shove you and squeeze you into boxes, and you willingly jump into many more on your own – especially the “victim” box. The worst is when you get stuck in there and start to believe the hurtful words that you hear from yourself and others.
You get criticized, so you hop into the “I suck” box.
Passed over for promotion and it’s the “I’m a loser” box.
Your teen screams at you about how you’re the worst , so you get into the “worst” box.
“Unworthy”
“Stupid”
“Unsuccessful”
On and on.
It’s time to take off the lid and step out.
You decide who you are. You don’t suck, are not a loser and are not the worst.
Taking the lid off is more than thinking out of the box – it’s standing up for yourself and standing strong in your personal leadership.
Boxes aren’t for people . Take off that lid once and for all.
I’m a Mirror
It’s a concept that too many miss. We’re taught that other people should respect us or make us happy, but that’s not all there is to it. We expect other people to do for us, but we forget our end of the bargain.
A mirror reflects, and if you want a happy, connected, robust life, you need to be a mirror.
The more you show respect, the more you get it.
The more you’re angry or yell, the more you’ll get that back too.
The more you’re joyful, the people around you will be too.
Be mindful of what you’re putting out in the world and make sure it’s what you want to experience in return.
Never forget, you are the mirror.
Related: You May Be Making a Bigger Difference Than You Think
The Force is Within Me
I can remember seeing Star Wars when it came out in the theaters in 1977. Of course, we all know the quote, “Luke, use the Force.”
Instead of simply using the force, what Obi-Wan taught Luke was “The Force is within you.” Imagine that your lightsaber is there for you 24/7 but here’s the catch, only you know it’s there. You don’t use it to take out the bad guys but to create the life you want.
The power is within you. You hold the power.
In the movies, not everyone is equally skilled at using the Force, but in your life, there’s no one stronger, better prepared or more adept than you.
The next time you’re face to face with an obstacle, challenge or excuse, be the Force. If you want to live your best life, never doubt that the Force is within you too.
“Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man’s doing but my own. I am the force.” ~ Elaine Maxwell…
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Affirmations impact your attitude and your attitude determines your impact. #life #leadership