My daughter Ella started Kindergarten this year. To help prepare HER for the “major leagues” of independence this summer, I started using this simple phrase A LOT.
Almost every time she was about to give up on something: tying her shoe, opening a package, riding her bike a far distance, learning to read a new word…I’d say “It’s ok babe, YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS.” (It’s a mantra I had used to override my own doubts MANY times in my life and career)
Just as she was on the verge of throwing in the towel, like clockwork she would get it (I am telling you this simple phrase IS magic).
Accomplishing the task was ALWAYS uncannily synchronized with, “Mommy I tried and I caaa (n’t).”
Followed by a pause, “Oh wait never mind, I got it.”
We BOTH were reminded of the valuable lesson that often right when we feel like quitting, we break through.
The difference between success and failure is seconds. It’s putting it all on the line before you GIVE UP. Now it was MY turn to look in the mirror.
What were the hard things I was giving up on too early? It was definitely time to put that mantra back to work in my own life.
So… The mantra “I can do hard things” was reclaimed and reapplied to things where I felt out I my element; for me, “home improvement.” Over the summer, I had moved alone and furnished a new house.
Yesterday a girlfriend said to me, “Amy, you are SO handy.” I literally looked behind me over my shoulder when she said it. I’m not one of shy away from a challenge BUT “handy” is NEVER a way I would describe myself (nor would anyone else who knows me well). But then a barrage of moments flooded to me.
Moments where I had said you myself, “Amy you can do hard things.” Had I become “handy”? Had I transformed my identity with this mantra without noticing?
Normally for any home-related task I would have hired someone or shouted, “BAAAAABE!!!! Can you come here and do this for me?”, or just thrown something out and bought a new one…
But with “I Can Do Hard Things “…
I assembled almost ALL the furniture in my new house (again if you know me, this was a big deal)
I changed a lock. By. My. Self. (this was a big one…you should have seen me at the hardware store. The guys literally said “Miss, are you going to try to do this by yourself?” LOL)
I picked a lock (thanks youtube and 20 different screwdriver heads)
I fixed my vacuum cleaner instead of buying a new one (thanks again to youtube)
The common thread in ALL of these moments was EXACTLY the same as Ella’s experience. On the verge of calling a locksmith, running to target to buy a new vacuum, hiring a handy man, throwing all my screwdrivers out the fricken window…I cracked the code in the final seconds.
So the question becomes, where are we giving up too soon?
Where are we NOT trusting that WE CAN DO HARD THINGS?
Where are you letting our DOUBT override your belief that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS?
Stay tuned… In my next email I’ll talk about what that Mantra has helped me achieve in my career and business.
This mantra has helped me replace DOUBT with COMMITMENT many times over.In the meantime, ARE WE CONNECTED on INSTAGRAM? It’s where I spend most of my time on social media and I’d love to follow you too! Please follow me and if you send me a DM saying “Hi” I will follow you back.
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As always, hit REPLY with thoughts and questions. I’m here for you guys! I read and respond myself.
xxx Amy
It’s time to build your off the beaten path brand and life!
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