Remember What’s Important
With an illustrated mantra
(Already know about illustrated mantras? If so, you can skip to the end of this post to learn how to request your own for 2025)
Remember that thing you wanted to focus on in 2024? Eat less cheese. Be a better listener. Breathe. Maybe you don't remember it at all (but wish you did).
As we approach the new year, you probably still want to focus on what's important... and remember to actually do it.
One powerful and fun way to keep focused on what's important is to have a personal mantra. This is a simple guiding phrase or even a word, displayed prominently, that keeps your intentions literally top of mind.
Here we show you how to begin the tradition of a New Year’s mantra, and we extend an invitation for you to get your 2025 mantra illustrated by OYF's resident artist extraordinaire and co-founder, Gary Hirsch.
The Art and Artist Behind Illustrated Mantras
Illustrated Mantras
Last year, over 100 people accepted Gary Hirsch's invitation to illustrate their New Year’s mantra with an original, one-of-a-kind drawing delivered to their mailbox.
We heard from friends, colleagues, clients, strangers, CEOs, executives, designers, and folks from all walks of life.
Their mantras included classic, silly, serious, short, and long phrases such as “Rebuilding me,” “Zoom out,” and “Let there be enthusiasm!”
Gary used these mantras as inspiration for his art, and then we sent these one-of-a-kind illustrations (done on beautiful, sturdy paper) back to people.
This mantra art was displayed on office walls, desks, and beautiful homes throughout the year as a reminder of what's important.
It was awesome!
So...
This year, we are doing it again!!
Why Does Gary Do This?
Because Gary really loves to draw, doodle, and spread joy.
He loves it so much that he has already hand-painted over 91,000 robots on the back of dominoes that are "programmed" to bring joy, hope, love, and courage to people all over the world with his Botjoy project.
For years, over the holidays, he has enjoyed sitting next to a crackling fireplace with a Blue Kangaroo coffee in one hand and a pen in the other, drawing the night away.
Last year, this holiday tradition included drawing mantras for friends, family, colleagues, and clients.
This year Gary wants to do this for you, so send him your Mantra—before he changes his mind and just watches the entire set of Lord of the Rings movies over the holidays instead.
A little science behind illustrated mantras
An illustrated mantra that sits on your desk can be incredibly effective, and here's why:
It makes it available and memorable.
Cognitive psychologists have identified a phenomenon known as the Availability Heuristic, which suggests that our attention is biased toward things that are immediately available to us.
By keeping your mantra visually present, you make it more accessible in your environment—and, in turn, more memorable. The constant visual exposure triggers your memory and reinforces the message.
It serves as an importance signal.
Behavioral scientists have found that we tend to view the importance of something based on the effort and attention we've invested in it. This is a key concept in Self-Perception Theory and Value Signaling.
When you choose to have a mantra illustrated and displayed, you're signaling to yourself—and others—that this mantra is meaningful. The effort, ritual, and intentionality behind its display give it greater perceived value.
It is public and social.
Social psychologists find that when we make something public, we adhere to it more and often discuss it with people more due to effects known as Public Commitment and Conversation Piece cues.
An illustrated mantra acts as a public declaration of your values and intentions. It’s a conversation starter, inviting discussion—and with Gary’s distinctive, eye-catching art, it stands out.
How To Get Your Mantra Illustrated
email [email protected] with two things:
Your mantra: A 1–10 word phrase that captures something important to you (big or small).
Your mailing address: This will allow Gary to send you your one-of-a-kind illustrated mantra (free of charge) that you can display or even frame.
Please send your request by December 20th
Expected delivery: Mid/late January 2025.
Need a little more inspiration?
Here are some past submissions:
“Be Present”
“Be the energy you wish to attract”
“Harvest”
“See the wave. Be the wave. Ride the wave.”
“Show Kindness, Be Kindness”
“Remember to enjoy yourself… so that they do too”
“You’ve got this”
“You can be bold AND warm”
We're excited to see what you want to focus on in 2025!
