1.5: Using Affirmations
One way to use grit is to develop positive self-talk which improves self-image and allows for empowerment toward deliberate change. Affirmations are positive statements that describe a desired outcome and are often repeated until you start to believe them - directly related to mindset. As discussed earlier, your thoughts and ideas in your mind influence your belief about yourself and your abilities. This influence directly impacts your attitudes, behaviors and ultimately your performance. Be good to yourself and use affirmations to help build your confidence and belief in yourself (Martinez & Shaker, 2021).
Affirmations can be used to help raise self-confidence, control negative feelings and acquire new desired behaviors. They are particularly useful to help overcome negative thinking and self-sabotaging behaviors. Affirmations are intended to create new possibilities.
For example, let’s say I struggle with organization and often miss deadlines and this negatively impacts my performance at school and work.
My new desired behavior is to be organized and keep up with deadlines. To develop an affirmation for this desired new behavior there are a few things to keep in mind. When creating effective affirmations, you need to:
- Phrase the affirmation in the present tense. For example:
I am organized and manage my time well.
vs.
I will be organized and manage my time well.
- Phrase the affirmation in the positive rather than the negative. For example:
I am productive and motivated.
vs.
I am not lazy and unmotivated.
Make sure the affirmation is believable and meaningful.
- Share your affirmations with others.
- Visualize success.
- Recite your affirmations daily.
- Repeat your affirmations when you start to engage in negative thought or behavior.
Here are some examples of positive affirmations:
- I practice a growth mindset.
- I am successful.
- I embrace challenges and view them as learning opportunities.
- I am strong and in control of my thoughts and behaviors.
- I am a valuable team player with a strong work ethic.
- I value hard work and put forth 100% effort in all I do.
- I use my time wisely and complete assignments on time.
- I am mindful of how I spend my time and with whom.
- I practice a healthy lifestyle by eating well, exercising and forgiving myself when I make mistakes.
Building Your Affirmations
Part 1
Who did you admire when you were growing up? Who were your heroes or heroines? Who do you admire now? List three people, other than your mom and dad, who you admired/admire. These can be people you know or don't know personally, make-believe people like superheroes and cartoon characters, or anyone else you can think of. Maybe you admired a teacher, athlete, politician, scientist, artist, musician, T.V. star, or character in a book. For Part 1, complete ALL six steps:
Step 1: List your three heroes or heroines and for each character, describe in 2-4 complete sentences what you admired about them.
Example, if you admired Anne of Green Gables you might want to write that she is independent and spunky. Or, if you admired Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. you might write that he was a leader who fought for social justice. If you admired Superman you might write that he fought for truth and justice.
Hero 1…………..
Hero 2……………
Hero 3……………
Also explain any impact they have had on you.
Step 2: Write down the adjectives you used to describe each one of them.
Step 3: Write down two or more things your heroes/heroines have in common and list any adjectives or other significant words or phrases you used to describe them.
Step 4: This is you, your core self. Look carefully at the words you used to describe your heroes or heroines. You have described yourself. You take things you like about them and put them together to make you. Now using those words you wrote down above, tell in two to four sentences who you are:
I am a person who is:
Part 2:
Using positive self-talk and repeating positive messages to yourself will help reinforce a positive self-image and will contribute to your career success! Take a moment and practice this.
Develop six affirmations related to being successful in your career and life planning. Be sure to state your affirmations in the present and use positive phrases. Make your affirmations personal and meaningful to you.
Read your affirmations daily and modify them as needed. Practice them especially when you feel overwhelmed or discouraged. When you repeat your affirmations over and over, you will start to believe those words which will change your expectations, mindset including attitudes and behaviors and ultimately your performance.
So far, we have addressed several important factors to get you started on your career journey. Building your self-efficacy, practicing a growth mindset, drawing upon your grit and using affirmations will guide you through the process of creating your career and life planning vision. Using available college resources shows that you’re taking personal responsibility for moving into a growth mindset, developing more grit and increasing your self-efficacy.