One of my favorite quotes from Muhammad Ali is one of the ones least quoted. It goes like this:
It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.
You may recall the Daily Affirmations skit from SNL. It’s a hilarious take on this dynamic. But just because someone can turn it into a funny sketch doesn’t mean it’s worth ignoring.
Over the years I’ve developed a set of sayings / principles that I use as leadership mantras.
They work because they are short and simple. They work because they’re easy to remember. And most importantly, they work because you can repeat them over and over and they are short hand for the larger truth and context they express.
Repetition works. It has power. And it’s when you’ve internalized these truths that the real work starts.
Are you known, as a leader, for certain sayings? Good stuff! Are you predictable because you’re always repeating yourself? Great news!
Repetition works. So make sure you have your own set of mantras.