Just checking in to be sure you have your personal anthem ready for all that 2021 may have in store. If last year is any indication, you're gonna need that anthem. What's a personal anthem? Oh, well, here's what the dictionary says: "a rousing or uplifting song identified with a particular group, body, or cause." In this case, the cause is YOU.
I have a couple of personal anthems that I reach to when I need courage, confidence or (especially) inspiration. I've found them (or maybe they've found me) over the years, and they have the power to transform my internal experience into one of vast, useable energy (who wouldn't love that?!).
For example, about 15 years ago I left a super cushy job with a successful organization, to pursue an entrepreneurial venture that was basically a passion project. Talk about stepping into the void! The song that became my anthem, that I listened to every day, was "Defying Gravity," from the musical “Wicked.” The verse that really spoke to me at that time was:
Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap!
It's time to try defying gravity.
It felt like that's what I was doing: leaving the known for the unknown to do something kind of heroic. Now that was an anthem! It was like an awesome, musical affirmation of all that I was leaving behind and setting out to do.
My personal anthems make me feel expansive, generous, grateful and grace-ful…instantly. I mean, the world could be crashing around (which it kind of is for all of us these days), and my anthem can get me up from my desk and celebrating all that is good in this life. Talk about transforming the workday!
So back to my original question: Do you have your personal anthem ready for 2021? If not, my coaching challenge to you is to 1) find it and 2) put it to work right away! It will always be there for you when you need inspiration and energy. It’s a tool for success, resilience, and LIFE.
Have fun looking (and listening), and share with us what it is when you find it!
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