I’m training for a marathon. Most mornings I can get up and go, but this morning was a struggle. I had to drag myself out of bed at 6:30 a.m. and, even though I was up, I still grumpily wandered around the apartment and put on my running shoes begrudgingly.

It’s hard to do the right thing… it’s even harder when you’d rather be asleep.

When I started through my city streets, it wasn’t any easier. I kept a steady pace but felt like I was pulling the weight of the whole morning behind me. I could feel my ego begin to complain, “Why did you sign up for a marathon? You are barely getting through two miles. It’s hot out here. Ug. I wanna go back to bed.”

I could have quit. I could have gone back home. But I didn’t. And it was because of these simple words:

“Baby steps.”

I said those two words over and over until I reached my finish line.

I know it sounds crazy, but talking to yourself is kind of a good thing. You have to be your own cheerleader sometimes, and only you can say the words that will get you moving. With just a phrase, I was able to remind myself that I was at the beginning of a long journey where I will progress and get stronger every day. I couldn’t despair in small beginnings, because those beginnings lead to great endings.

So, how do you empower yourself? What’s your mantra or your motto? When the going get tough, and you’d rather quit than move forward, what do you tell yourself?

Something to Get You Going:
Joel Osteen on the Power of Positive Words
Words
12 Ways to Keep Going