That was the phrase I heard most growing up as a child. My mother was consistent and relentless in encouraging me to believe in myself. As a young boy, I was very small and slight for my age. (I’ve filled out nicely in recent years!) I was also put into school early and I was typically a year and half to two years younger than my classmates. My mother didn’t want me to know I was small or young or had any other potential shortcomings or excuses. She just consistently championed me to believe in myself.

A funny thing happened. I guess it worked! I can never remember a time when I didn’t believe in myself. In fact not having many pictures of my youth, I don’t ever remember being small or thinking of myself as small. Today, one of my youngest children is very small and slight, but I’ve kept up my mother’s winning ways by telling him he’s unstoppable and there’s nothing he can’t do. At every turn, his stature is an advantage to him. When he plays basketball, we remind him of the diminutive Spud Webb who at five foot seven was an all-star in the NBA.

Maybe you didn’t have a cheerleader growing up, but there’s nothing to say you can’t be your own cheerleader today. Not only that, but I have found it even more empowering to become other peoples’ cheerleaders. A word of encouragement spoken at the right time can be life-changing for someone.

The words we say to ourselves and others can make all the difference in the world. Make sure you’re building up; not tearing down, encouraging; not discouraging, strengthening belief and not causing doubt. You can do it…

It’s a good life!

Brian