Three Cheers Thyself

“Becoming your own cheerleader is a lifelong practice—a habit that transforms ordinary days into extraordinary ones and turns aspirations into achievements.”

Practicing positive self-talk, acknowledging small victories, and embracing the journey of self-improvement, individuals can transform their approach to challenges

Shital Ravi

If the philosophy, culminating the essence of all that ‘cheerleading’ is likely to mean, beyond the scope of Wikipedia, then it has to be the one phrase from Brihadaranyaka–Upanishad: “Aham Brahmasmi”. (I am Brahman.)

Recognising one’s inherent divinity is the ultimate form of self-cheerleading.

What a lofty ideal that too dated 750-1000 BCE! It makes us understand our oneness with the supreme being, or universal consciousness leaving no space for self-doubt or defeatism. If this isn’t the essence of cheering the self, then what is?

As a child we knew how to cheer ourselves. We did it so easily and with aplomb. We then tried doing the same thing a hundred times, in a hundred ways with varying success but we cheered and cherished ourselves every single time.

But somewhere in the process of growing up, we were taught a new meaning of success, a new vocabulary of competition, and excelling, and the world within changed faster than the world outside. We learnt ways of being hard on ourselves, of not looking at our positives instead discounting them, and all the time trying to focus on our negatives to reduce them. The result being we forgot to cheer ourselves instead got into a spiral of self-criticism. This may work when the going is fine. But it becomes a problem when the going gets tough. The tough situation and our self-criticality become an unfavourable combination and could lead to other emotional issues and pose a threat to our mental well-being itself.

Cheerleading oneself nurtures a compassionate, optimistic, and resilient inner dialogue, which is foundational for maintaining and enhancing mental well-being. By being your own biggest supporter, you create a mental environment where self-growth, happiness, and emotional stability thrive.

So, even before we look at ways of cheerleading the self, let’s focus on the sport of cheerleading and its takeaways for life:

Practice: Practice, practice and practice. Whatever your skill is practice and sharpen and hone the skill. Because finally what you do in front of the crowd is what you have practiced when you were alone.

Smile: Smile, even if from within you are not feeling so. You can do tough tasks too with a smile on your face. Believe it or not, it helps ease the tension.

Focus on improvements: You will always remain a work in progress. So, keep your focus on improving the self.

Bounce back: You may fall, but you must rise, every time!

Compete with self: Remember, the competition is within, not outside.

Believe in yourself: Be confident and you have won half the battle!

Cheerleading oneself is not about arrogance but about cultivating a supportive inner voice that motivates, uplifts, and drives action. This practice is essential for building resilience, fostering self-confidence, and achieving success in life. Relying solely on external stimulations, approvals, validations and societal stereotype can leave us vulnerable. Instead, cheerleading ourselves helps us reiterate and pushes the belief into our biology itself that we are worthy and our potential is limitless.

In essence, becoming your own cheerleader is not a fleeting act but a lifelong practice – a habit that transforms ordinary days into extraordinary ones and turns aspirations into achievements.

Here are some cheerleading techniques to integrate into one’s life:

Cheerleading affirmations: Start your day with the positive affirmation “I am capable of handling whatever comes my way.” This sets a positive tone and encourages proactive problem-solving.

Celebrate wins: Reflect on your daily achievements, however small, and say to yourself, “I’ve made progress today. I’m one step closer to my goal.” This reinforces a sense of accomplishment and keeps the spirit high.

Reframe losses: Embrace failure as a stepping stone to progress and personal development. The loss may be for a good which is beyond your capacity to understand or foresee. Or it may be just be one more learning added to your life’s quiver.

Visualise positive outcomes: We need to visualise not only our dreams but the journey towards the dream, visualise every step that we aspire to reach. This will not only push ourselves against all odds but also make the journey easier.

Let humour be the binding tool:  Humour can lighten our mood, creating space for resilience. Humour becomes a catalyst for enhancing both personal well-being and our connections with others, reinforcing the power of cheerleading ourselves and embracing life’s challenges with a smile.

In conclusion, cheerleading oneself is not just about offering words of encouragement, but about cultivating a mindset that embraces healthy self-belief, resilience, and focus on personal growth. By practicing positive self-talk, acknowledging small victories, and embracing the journey of self-improvement, individuals can transform their approach to challenges, fostering mental well-being and emotional balance. Ultimately, the practice of cheering for oneself empowers us to navigate life’s uncertainties with optimism, embrace our unique path, and lead lives full of purpose and fulfillment.

Here’s a poem to sum it all up:

My own cheerleader

In the web of karma’s play,

I’m my own cheerleader every day.

Cheer for the self, why wait for the rest?

Just tell yourself, ‘I know I’m the best’!

 

A jump, a yell, your heart ignites

A steady companion in stormy nights

Master the art, follow your dream

For every bend, you are your own team.

 

No banners, no fanfare, no crowd in sight

We steer our way in life’s lonely night

Who knows my soul, my dreams, my pain;  

better than me in sunshine or rain?  

I am my own hero, my ally, my ‘never say die’ spirit

Trust the cheerleader in me to always, always ‘Do it’.