I’ve been thinking a lot about mindset lately—specifically, mantras, manifestation, and the stories we tell ourselves before the day even begins.
This all started after reading a post by Kristin McGee, who writes about beginning each day with the phrase, “Today is going to be the best day of my life.” She goes on to say, “This isn’t about toxic positivity or pretending life is perfect. It’s about recognizing that our attention is powerful. When we focus on what’s good, we tend to see more of it.”
I decided to create my own mantra: “Today is going to be an awesome day.” And honestly? It’s been a pretty good week so far.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Nothing is perfect. I have been struggling with tennis elbow for the past few weeks (yes, both elbows). Then, Milo ran across my white furniture with his muddy paws. And if that wasn’t enough, he got a hold of some old family photos (dating back to the 1940s) and began chewing them up. And yes, I almost lost my sh*t.
But the sun has been shining, and I feel deeply grateful to be here—healthy, alive, and capable of handling the mess. (It turns out Dawn dishwashing liquid mixed with hydrogen peroxide is a miracle cleaner for white furniture.)
My new mantra reminded me of a story my Uncle used to tell about his time in the army stationed in Korea during the war. He said the conditions were pretty grim. But one of his bunkmates, who’d grown up dirt poor, would wake up every morning and say, “Every Day’s A Holiday!” He said this daily declaration would always put a smile on his face.
And then there’s my dad’s legendary “parking karma.” No matter how crowded or how late he was to an event, my dad would always find a parking spot whenever he needed one. Even now, his children and grandchildren still chant his name to help them find parking… and it still works.
When we expect things to work out, we move through the world differently. More relaxed. More open. More trusting.
Mantras. Mindset. Manifestation. Different words for the same practice: Choosing where our attention goes.
So try it tomorrow. Pick a mantra that resonates with you. Say it in the morning—and see if it shifts the quality of the days ahead.
Happy Wednesday!
-Jackie
P.S. This kind of work—finding language and perspective that actually changes how your days feel—is at the heart of my coaching practice. If you’re curious to learn more…
