Back in 2008, one of my favorite bloggers and author of The Art of Nonconformity, Chris Guillebeau, wrote A Four-Step Encouragement Mantra for the Journey. Here it is:
- I can do it.
- I could always have a regular life somewhere.
- But I’ve chosen a different path.
- And I won’t give it up.”
Chris generously encouraged us, his readers, to claim it as is or to change it to suit our own needs. So here is my mantra:
- I can do it!
- I can always choose to have a regular job somewhere else.
- But, I’ve chosen a different path . . . .
- And, I will not give up!”
So what about you? Have a mantra of your own to share? If not, try filling in these blanks . . . .
- I can ______________.
- I could always choose ____________.
- I’ve chosen _____________.
- I will not _____________.”
Now go back and tweak the words to make them fit you perfectly.
Now what?
Memorize your mantra and say it every morning, every evening, and as many times during the day as you can. Use it as a way to stay focused and stay motivated to build your ideal private practice!
And, thanks for dropping in today at Private Practice from the Inside Out! This is a terrific place to hang out and get motivated to build or revitalize your private practice!
Love it! Thank you lots Tamara and Happy New Year!
Hi, Ana! Happy New Year! OK, so I got your email backchannel, too. Thanks for the nudge to get back on track. Just extended that holiday a bit too long and left all you guys hanging! Happy to be back in the saddle and posting blogs again!
Tamara,
You offer us such lovely ideas. May I use this in my blog? I am inspired to keep at it “building my practice” and encourage others to keep at it.
Thank you,
PS Happy New Year.
Brenda! Thanks so much for dropping in! It’s always good to hear from you. And, you are welcome to link away! Thanks for asking!
Thank you for this post (and the pointer back to Chris’ blog). I’m a middle-aged “returning” student in counseling psych, and this is just what I need right now. I’m a ways off from private practice, but this really puts the agency back in my hands, during a time when it seems like I am not the one steering the roller coaster!
Hi, Thomas! Thanks for dropping in here at Private Practice from the Inside Out to join the conversation! I, too, was a “returning” student when I went through graduate school so I can relate to all of the pressures at hand. I didn’t always feel like I was the one in charge during that period of my life, either. However, in hindsight, it’s really one of the best times to plant and nurture the seedlings for your private practice down the road. Here’s some nudges for you . . . . Network, network, network – online, offline, in your immediate geographic area, throughout your state, throughout the country, and around the world. In 5 years, your classmates of today will be your colleagues of tomorrow. Start thinking now about possible niches for your practice. Focus your reading and your class assignments on those particular areas when you can. Start collecting websites that you really love that will eventually inspire your own website – just keep a running list. And, sync in all up with a timetable . . . .
And, when in doubt, pull out that mantra of yours to keep you focused!:)