MANTRAS + MOTTOS

check in with the voice that always gets the last word 🙊

Anastazia Neely
June 03, 2026

MANTRAS + MOTTOS 🙊

June 3, 2026 • Issue No. 38

No long story today. No analogy. No ridiculous Forbes article (though I always have fun with those).

Because: no matter what I say, no matter what anyone says to affirm or inspire you, the things you say to yourself matter more. The most, actually. And you may have formed habits and/or written scripts of how you speak to yourself without even realizing it.

And…if those scripts are harmful — they always make you out to be the villain, the perpetual failure, or even an untouchable vision of true perfection — they can be holding you back.

You can (and should) change them! Your mantras should shift as you do, you need different perspectives in different seasons. For example: in college, my motto was YOLO. It was appropriate for that season, but it had to go when the stakes got higher.

Today, I think it could be revealing if you heard from your harshest critic, your most crucial cheerleader, and the person who always gets the last word: YOU.

What do you say to yourself when…

…you get the things you ask for?
…you get the things you’ve worked for?
…you’re faced with disappointment?
…other people doubt your ideas?
…you can’t find a willing or available collaborator?
…you win?
…you lose?
…you see The Sparkle Sheet in your inbox? 😝
…you’re starting work for the day?
…you’re ending the work day and heading out/logging off?
…a friend calls during the work day?
…when your boss requests to meet outside of your usual cadence?
…it’s time for annual reviews?
…a new dream breezes in?
…you feel overwhelmed?
…it seems like your ideas are being ignored?
…people seek you out for advice?

If any of these mantras aren’t serving you, either by being harsh and blame-y or by absolving you of any responsibility, it’s time for an edit.

If you’re not sure what to say, look up quotes by people you admire; there might be something of use there. Here’s one I’m working to integrate into my self-talk:

“All great achievements take time…We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”

- Maya Angelou

💎 Your inner voice gets the last word; speak wisely. 💎

talk to me

Want to talk about any of your answers? Write me an email or leave a comment!
Want to talk but feeling shy? Chat to yourself via journal

I’ll remind you about the upcoming Summer Solstice in every issue.

🧑🏾‍🌾 🌱 Let’s get goal farming! You’re 11 weeks in and there are 2 to go! WE ARE SO CLOSE!!

connect with me

subscribe to The Sparkle Sheet 💎 (the newsletter you’re reading right now!)
add me to your network on LinkedIn
read with me! Okay, so technically this is not a book, but it felt too cool not to share! Remember the library advocacy group I joined, NYC PLAN? Well, we rallied on the steps of City Hall last week to urge the Mayor to keep his promise on library funding. I gave a speech and was quoted by The Gothamist and The City. That’s what I’m reading. And the next time you’re looking for some reading material, pay a visit to your local branch! Want to read my speech? It’s here.
schedule a free coaching consultation with me

upcoming events

On June 17, Michaela and I are hosting a virtual discussion event called THE BUZZ 🐝 🐝. It’s free, there’s no pre-work, and you can come as you are. This time we’ll be buzzing about imposter phenomenon — which is very impacted by mottos, mantras, and deep-seated beliefs about our own ability.

Mark your calendar! The next “Quitting My Job, Showing Up For Myself: Lessons from a Self-Authorized Sabbatical” will be in July! If you (or someone you know) have:

…felt trapped in the life/career you’ve built
…been disappointed by the thought of where you’ll be in 3 years
…wondered what it would cost to start over

then I think this story is for you. Email me to RSVP and feel free to share with a friend. 💕

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The Sparkle Sheet is a newsletter publication written and created by Anastazia Neely, founder of Executive Radiance. Executive Radiance, LLC provides coaching and leadership development remotely and in-person in New York City.