Every year for Easter, my in-laws do a color coded egg hunt for their grandchildren.

Grandma fills eggs with candy and cash. Papa and uncles hide the eggs in age-appropriate spots in our backyard.

It’s 5 minutes of (somewhat) controlled chaos.

And. It’s. Awesome.

This year, my 19-yr-old college freshman didn’t tell Grandma to do eggs for him. He also didn’t tell her not to.

She did eggs for him. And he was thrilled.

In a culture that is constantly pushing us to grow up, I love that my sons are hanging on to joy. (The 17-yr old did it, too.)

I love that they know how to have fun and aren’t afraid of looking a little silly while doing it.

Which brings me to Mantra #8 in the 50 Mantras for turning 50 series:

𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩.

🐣 Maybe “the egg” is a certificate you’ve wanted to earn, a new software program you’re trying to master, or a hobby you want to re-start (cough, cough).

🪺Maybe the hunt is a promotion, a raise, or a project you want to lead.

You will never find the eggs if you’re not willing to go looking.

🧙🏼‍♂️Don’t count yourself out because you’re too old (or too young).

🐰Don’t miss out on the fun because you’re afraid of looking silly.

“What would 2014 you think of you now?”

This is the question that Amy Poehler recently asked Quinta Brunson on Amy’s podcast, “Good Hang with Amy Poehler.”

Brunson’s answer is a powerful lesson in owning our accomplishments with confidence and not demuring to others’ expectations that we stay small.

She said:
“I think 2014 me would be like, ‘Exactly. Period.’ Because I was a very determined, knew-where-I-was-going girl. I do not like to do that thing where people pretend like, ‘I had no idea this could happen to me!’ Like, no. I made every single move in my life so this could happen to me.”

So, with a nod to Quinta, this is Mantra #7 in my 50 Mantras series:

“𝙊𝙬𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨. 𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙖𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢.”

I highly recommend that you watch the whole interview, and especially this clip. Quinta is so matter-of-fact in her answer, there’s no doubt that it’s true.

You 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 that she worked for everything she has achieved. And, you are rooting for her because she’s not boastful or gross about it.

When times are hard- like now- it’s easy to feel needy. Like everyone else is in on a secret and you’re not.

But what if you flipped your approach and brought Quinta-level confidence to your life?

You didn’t get to where you are by accident. You worked for it.

You did it before and you can do it again.

You’re not looking for a hand-out or an exception. You’re looking for an opportunity.

Share your accomplishments clearly and without apology. See what happens.