25 Mantras for Choosing Elegance over Crankypants

I’m beyond excited to be working with this incredible visual branding person who has this cool British accent, and she gave me homework on Pinterest. Imagine the possibilities of getting into trouble with that sort of assignment. I got started right away, of course, even though I had already a bunch of semi-urgent tasks waiting for me.

Thing this crazy thing happened. I got on the Dolce and Gabbana Pinterest page (cue spooky music) and time completely screeched to a halt. I stopped breathing. When I regained consciousness, some 5,491 images later, I realized I was late for an appointment. I detest being late; it makes my stomach hurt and I feel sweaty. And then I feel like I’m too overwhelmed, or maybe too old or just beyond tired for all of this.

Are you familiar with the downward spiral?

My choices are: a) I get all uptight and flustered, perhaps even cranky; b) blame my visual branding person for my needing Pinterest rehab; or c) hit the reset button.

That is what mantras are for: it’s your state-of-mind reset button. Or a mindset do-over. Or an emotional state workaround. I think you get the picture.

The absolute truth is… the thing will get done. Your past does not define you; you don’t have to do it all. Happiness is an inside job and there’s no sense waiting until next year to enjoy your fine china. These are precisely the things that slip our minds so easily (along with why we came into the kitchen.)

To remind you of this powerful truth, here are 25 of the most kick-in-the-derriere mantras I regularly share with my coaching clients. Read them frequently to remind yourself to breathe in, to smile, to allow it to happen, to put on your lipstick and to show up in an elegant state of mind.

Whatever you say to yourself frequently enough, your subconscious accepts as ultimate truth. (That’s why propaganda and advertising work so well.) Why not make it easy on yourself and program your thoughts for your own benefit? Write them in your journal, make a note of them on your phone and have a copy at the office for just in case.

Mantras remind us of what we often forget, they calm us and shift our thinking away from that silly negative spiral. As the saying goes, “Elegance is a state of mind.”

Warning! Some of these mantras may challenge what you already know to be sure or make you mad and/or uncomfortable. Like the best green juices, the ones that taste the worst work the best.

25 Mantras for Choosing Elegance over Crankypants

1. It’s not your circumstances, it’s how you interpret these circumstances.

2. Your first job is to feel great.

3. Master where you are first.

4. There is a miracle that only you can create for others.

5. Impress yourself and don’t worry about the others.

6. Remember that thing people always compliment you about.

7. If this were easy, everybody would be doing it already.

8. Look rejection in the eye and learn from it.

9. You are the DJ of your own private party. The party is called “life.”

10. It’s not awkward unless you say it’s awkward.

11. You can choose an elegant option.

12. Creative work, by definition, cannot fit neatly into plans, budgets and schedules.

13. Genius involves lighting your own fire.

14. Ridiculous is where progress happens.

15. The future lies in your imagination so imagine something amazing.

16. Slow down. Rushing is not elegant.

17. What looks and feels like failure is simply the process of succeeding.

18. Whatever it takes to be at your best, is what it takes.

19. You’re not confused, you’re learning.

20. You are exactly where you need to be.

21. The world is full of opportunity and abundance.

22. Move towards delight.

23. You created this situation, so you can re-create it.

24. You are in the process of creating an amazing life, it’s not a smooth process.

25. You don’t need to know the answer in this moment.

At the end of the day, at happy hour to be precise, I see you breaking your own sound barrier and astonishing all of us. Cheers! If you have your own personal mantra, I’d love for you to share it in the comments below.

Laura Camacho is obsessed with communication as an amazing tool for building bridges and careers. She believes all conversations should be carried out with style and enthusiasm. And a presentation is just a special conversation. Read her bi-weekly posts at www.mixonian.com. She’s up for hire for quirky communication workshops and private coaching. If you invite her to a party Laura promises not to be crankypants.