Why have a mantra?
Whether you call it a mantra, slogan, or motto, is it beneficial to have one?
Well, considering it is "a positive phrase or affirmative statement that you can say to yourself for motivation or encouragement," why wouldn't you?
My mantra began to evolve when I first left the corporate world to become Independent. What was my purpose in the future, for both me and others? It started with some brainstorming and reflection time to complete "One Word that Will Change Your Life" by Dan Britton, Jimmy Page, and Jon Gordon. I also (for a moment!) got caught up with all the B's because my name is Bobby (sigh!). I set that aside when I realized that what I was actually saying to myself was "Who do you want to BE now, Bobby." Not WHAT...WHO. For the first time in 30 years, I didn't need to have a title. I could just BE.
And that's where it started from... BRING...BREATHE...BE. It captured it all. So here is a little behind each part:
BRING
This starts my day. What am I bringing today? This can be a mood, an action, or simply today's to-do list. It could also be that I have woken up on the wrong side of the bed! The more I practice, the more this is ME bringing my purpose to that day through a coaching session, a team development workshop, or some mentoring. My purpose is to support others in dealing with challenging situations, changes they want to make, and relationships they want to build. So, as well as BRING working for me, it also allows others to BRING to me. How can I help you?
BREATHE
Does today's to-do list let me breathe? What does my breath feel like when I wake in a foul mood? How do I breathe when I am working towards my purpose? When I work with others, the main practice is giving yourself space. Space in which to BREATHE and space in which to take a moment to see if there are other possibilities in an action to take or a response to give. How often do we give ourselves that moment? What choices might you find if you stopped and took 3 deep breaths before responding to that email, keeping quiet, not standing up for yourself, choosing your mood, and remembering your own mantra? In the trickiest of moments, when I catch myself and quietly say Bring, Breathe, Be, the world gets bigger, and I remain connected to others.
BE
Gone are the titles that really mean nothing at all. Yes, I now use Coach, Consultant, Collaborator, and Mischief Ripple Maker...all of which speak to what I choose to BE and set out each day to BE. I also choose to be candid and kind, playful and deep, strong and gentle... My BEing is to hold all parts of myself and to help others do that for themselves too. To be able also to hold the parts they usually kept hidden, to show their REAL selves to those that matter.
So, that's what is behind my mantra. Is it good to have one? Works for me. How about you?
Bobby Davis is a qualified executive and team coach with extensive experience in organisational development, business change (the people angle), human resources and personal leadership.
Her coaching experience is against a backdrop of 30+ years working in managerial and human resources/OD roles in the British Army, Not for Profits, Professional Services and most recently with a private equity owned Hotel Group.
She has led the People “strand” within large business transformation programmes, creating people strategies, internal coaching schemes and embedding strong performance cultures, as well as supporting at all levels of an organisation to implement effective change.
She is absolutely passionate in her pursuit to support, challenge and deliver sustainable change for individuals, teams and organisations, one person at a time if necessary!
You can catch her for a chat about coaching, using your body better as a leader and/or supporting you in HR/OD here Bobby Davis FCIPD PCC | LinkedIn
