10 Mantras to Boost Self Confidence and Happiness

Whenever we talk about improving personal productivity, it mostly centers around breaking bad habits and developing good habits. In some ways it can make you be hard on yoursself, because we are always trying to fix the things that are not going right.

So, today I wanted to take a different route talk a little bit about happiness and giving yourself grace. After all, we are only human. We are allowed to take a break, recharge, relax, do a little self-care so that we can up our game.

So, here are a few gentle reminders to take care of your body and your mind so that you can be ready to take care of everyone and everything else. Use them as your mantras whenever you need a motivation boost.

1. “I Believe in Myself”

I think that the number one lesson that I have learned over the years is this: No matter what you do – if  you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will either.

When you look in the mirror, like what you see. All the goodness, all the flaws – it is who you are, and accept that you are a work in progress. So is everyone else.

It’s easy to second guess, especially when you are starting something new. But you either have to be all in or not at all. And if you are all in you must believe that what you have to offer is of VALUE.

2. “I am Confident in My Abilities”

Believing in yourself is a good start – but it is not enough. Communicate that to the world.

How many times have you known the answer to something but didn’t speak up? When I was a kid, the teacher would ask the class questions and if you knew the answer, you would raise your hand. I often knew the answer but was afraid to put my hand up. I thought the other kids would judge me. And what if my answer was wrong? Maybe I would be ridiculed.

But more often than not, the answer I had in my head was right. And sometimes the kid that was called upon was wrong. To this day, I regret not throwing my hat in the ring. The more you move outside your comfort zone, the more things you learn, and your confidence grows.

It can be deflating when you know that you can do something bigger, faster, or better – but someone less qualified beats you to the punch because they were more confident than you.

If you know it – show it. Every step, even a baby step, is progress.

3. “People Appreciate What I Have to Offer”

Not everyone needs or wants what you have to offer. Spend your time seeking out the people that appreciate you instead of trying to convince the people that don’t.

Two of my children had this experience when they were little, preschool and elementary age. In class they desperately were trying to be friends with a classmate or group that wasn’t returning the affection. Both of their teachers, in completely separate situations, clued me in to what was happening and gave me some interesting advice that turned out to be classic.

In an ideal world, everyone would be friends. But my children were trying so hard to fit in with a group that wasn’t reciprocating the feeling. So, the result was that my kids were unhappy and stressed. Their teachers told me that there were so many other kids in the class that appreciated my children and enjoyed their company, so it would be great if I could facilitate friendships with these children (through playdates etc.). The point was that my children were great kids and they did not need to try so hard to be liked.

Friendships should be easy. A good friend is your rock, your island in a storm. And yes, friendships take mutual work to maintain, but the work should center around sharing and caring, and not be about getting the person to like you in the first place.

When people appreciate what you do, it boosts your sense of self-worth and motivates you to do your best work.

4. “I Don’t Waste Time Comparing Myself to Others”

Number four on my good habits list is to stay out of the “comparison trap”. It’s human nature to compare yourself to other people – whether it’s your competition, your friends, or your family.

You’ve probably heard the saying, “don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle”. While this might be true in some situations, I really don’t like this quote because it doesn’t take any other factors into account.

Someone half your age can be twice as “successful” as you at the ONE thing that you have in common – even if you have been working at it longer. This is not your beginning and it certainly is not their middle.

But when you look at the bigger picture, in the same timeframe they may have worked 24 hours a day at that ONE thing Meanwhile you may have been spending your time and finding “success” in other areas of life. For example, you may have done any of the following:

• raised children,
• had a full time job,
• cared for a sick relative,
• or even just took life at a slower pace – which is perfectly fine.

Success often stems from the amount of time spent, doing the right things, and maybe a little luck.

Everybody’s situation is different.

Just stop the comparing – it will make you happier.

5. “I Am Grateful”

According to this article in Psychology Today being thankful is actually proven to increase happiness and satisfaction with life. And if you think about it, there are so many things to be grateful for. If you show gratitude for whatever is good in your life, however small, it lifts you up and eliminates negativity.

A great exercise is to keep a gratitude journal. I do this right in my planner but you can use any old notebook. Everyday, write down at least three things or people that you are grateful for. Review your past entries from time to time. It will bring back good memories and make you realize that things are never as bad as they might seem.

Even if you are not having a great day, you can be thankful for the air that you breathe, an opportunity that arises, a family member, a friend, a pet, or the cashier at the corner store.

The more positive feelings you bring into your life, the lighter your load.

6. “I Say No To Things That Don’t Align With My Goals”

Sometimes saying “No” is a really hard thing to do. It might be someone special to you that is asking, or it might be something that you want to do but don’t really have time for.

When you take on too much, you become overwhelmed and that has a negative impact on your personal productivity. It is a vicious cycle with less than stellar results, things just don’t get done well.

Being choosy about what you say yes to has many long term benefits. You are keeping your stress levels low, which is good for your health and you can be fully present for the things that matter.

7. “Self-Care is Important”

This one is simple to explain. Stop putting yourself last. Taking care of your mind and body is important to your happiness, even if you don’t think it is. We all know the standard advice: exercise, eat well, meditate, journal, etc. Yet, everything else gets in the way and we put self care on the back burner.

The key is to make an appointment with yourself to do these very important activities. Create daily routines at the beginning and end of each day to wash your face, floss your teeth, read a book, and generally relax. Make it a point to schedule time in your week for exercise. And allow time in your weekends to meal prep healthy meals for the whole week. Then grab your planner and time-block all of these activities on your calendar to make them non-negotiable.

8. “I Give Myself Time to Reflect”

Unfinished work creates a lot of stress. Flitting between all the things that you have to do will keep you from getting anything done at all. Instead, give yourself time to focus on planning and reviewing the big picture.

We often find ourselves rushing through each day just putting out fires. So, I cherish taking a little time away from it all to think. I will grab a coffee and take a walk or sit in a quiet spot and reflect on everything going on in my life.

It is during these periods of reflection that I find renewed motivation to work on a project, pursue a new interest, or reach out to an old friend. A little quiet time goes a long way.

9. “Life Is All About the Lemonade, not the Lemons”

When life gives you lemons you make lemonade, we’ve all heard that before. But if you really think about it, life is the lemonade. And the lemons? Each one of those is an opportunity.

So, when something doesn’t go the way you planned you can be disappointed, but then embrace the new path and discover what it has to offer. Sometimes your new choices can turn out better than the old ones.

10. “Organizing My Finances is a Priority”

All of the other 9 mantras here are not as concrete as Money. So, I mention this because money can be the source of great stress or great happiness. People spend so much time thinking that they will be happier in the future when they have more money, that they miss the happiness that is happening in the current moment.

I believe that if you have a strong handle on your finances, you open up the space in your life that was taken up by financial worry or anxiety. Take the time to create a budget and stick to it. Cut out unnecessary expenses, spend within your means, and create a concrete plan to get you to your future money goals.

A Positive Mindset Matters

Having a positive mindset makes a difference in your approach to everything you do in life. Showing gratitude, practicing self care, and being true to yourself not only improves your outlook but it has a favorable impact on everyone around you.

So, make sure to make time for yourself every day!