Yes, You Can. Yes, You Will.

“#Yes I can. #Yes I will.”

This mantra has made its way into my life lately, in all sorts of places and for all sorts of reasons.

I find myself jotting it down on Post-it notes and sticking them on my computer monitor before I begin a big project.

I close each nightly journaling session with it, the entries reading like little confidence pep talks from me to me.

I use it as a battle cry before engaging in a workout that doesn’t exactly fall in my usual purview.

I muttered it to myself repeatedly during my month of Whole30 eating, as thoughts of chocolate ice cream danced in my head.

You see, I’m working towards making some seemingly impossible things possible, and if there’s anything I’ve come to believe over the years, it’s that language matters.

#Yes, I can. #Yes, I will.

What you tell yourself about yourself - the narratives we repeat in our heads - shapes the way you show up in the world.

And when those stories are riddled with things like, “I can’t,” or “I’ve never been good at…” or “I’m not able to...”, all the emphasis goes right to the limitations, leaving possibility struggling to catch up.

Look, I get it. Defining ourselves by our perceived shortcomings is a protective stance - nobody can make me feel bad about myself if *I* beat them to it.

We fear change, we try to avoid failure, and we aren’t too keen on being uncomfortable or appearing foolish.

But don’t block what’s available to you by doubting it’s even possible.

Because the thing is, EVERYTHING is possible, and saying #yes to life is a powerful way to let your goal be realized.

Leading with “#yes” automatically opens up our creativity and innovation, rather than the limitations and stangnacy of  “no.”

Saying “yes” helps us get unstuck, it creates momentum, it allows opportunity to make itself known.

I’d love for you to borrow my mantra.

Speak it out loud, write it down, sprinkle it throughout your thoughts, use it to counter any/all negative beliefs about your abilities, whether they come from you or the world around you.

Allow growth, invite possibility, encourage chance.

Is what you’re trying to do hard? #Yes, and we can do hard things.

Does just the thought of the thing feel a little scary? #Yes, and that’s often how we know we’re on the right track.  

Is it risky to try? #Yes, and we recognize that risk brings reward.

Might you feel silly doing something for the very first time? #Yes, and we remind ourselves that even experts were beginners once.

Is it outside of your comfort zone? #Yes - hopefully! After all, that’s where the magic happens.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You must do the things you think you cannot do.”

That begins with saying “yes” - to yourself, to your abilities, and to your life.

Here’s to a powerful future filled with fierce confidence, positive forward motion, and GETTING IT DONE.

#Yes, you can, and #yes, you will!