How to Unlock the Power of Affirmations

Imagine this. You did something amazing. Someone tells you what a great job you did. What would your logical reaction be? “No. Please don’t tell me anything nice!” Or “Thank you for your kind words.” Like me and everyone I know, your answer would most likely be the latter. That’s because we all love to be affirmed. In fact, because we naturally crave affirmation, every leader needs to know how to unlock the power of affirmations.  

It’s nice to know you have good thoughts of me, but it’s so much better to actually hear you say it!

What Are Affirmations?

An affirmation is a positive statement that serves as a recognition. It makes you feel appreciated. It could be a personal compliment or recognition for something you did.

Affirmations can build confidence, encourage a positive attitude, and cultivate a forward-focused mindset. It can turn a bad situation into a positive one. It can turn a life around. It can create a culture of empowerment.

Benefits of Affirmations

Self-affirmations and affirmations to others carry many benefits. One of the most powerful benefits is that they rewrite the negative beliefs and thoughts we hold.  Affirmations also strengthen relationships and reinforce positive behaviors.

Here are a few of the many other benefits of affirmations.

1. Encourages growth and builds resilience by motivating an action.

2. Disrupts negative thoughts by creating a mental shift.

3. Boosts self-esteem and empowers by increasing self-confidence.

4. Improves culture by creating a healthy environment.

5. Encourages perseverance by enabling you to cope with stressful situations.

Types of affirmations

Affirmation can take many forms.

1. Thanks giving.

• Thank someone directly for something positive they did for you.

• Thank someone for doing something special, good, responsible, etc. that others will benefit from.

• If you want to get creative, check out my post on the many creative ways you can show gratitude.

2. Support and encouragement.

• Give someone a compliment on a skill, action, or achievement.

• Share kind and encouraging words about a person’s character or ability.

• Recognize something good that someone has done.

3. Expressing love and care.

• Share what someone means to you. It could be a simple statement like “I’m so blessed to have you in my life.”

• Share something positive about a person with respect to who they are.

Taking time to affirm others is an amazing leadership quality. It’s one that rewards you by driving you to be a memorable leader.

The Most Effective Way to Affirm Others

• Go directly to the person immediately following the event or situation.

• Be specific. Instead of a general statement like “Good job,” say what was specifically good about what they did. For example, “I like how you made this comfortable and welcoming.”

• Be genuine and honest. You get bonus points for focusing on the person’s character. For example, “I like how you stood up for your team. That took a lot of courage.”

• Eliminate insincere words such as “I would like to…,” or “I want to…” Instead of “wanting,” just do it.

• Make eye contact.

• Make it about the other person. Not about you.

Be aware that some people do not like public recognition, so it’s best/safe if done in private.

If a loved one does something nice for you, don’t just think, “Oh she knows I love her. I don’t need to say it.” Wrong! You absolutely need to say it.

Self-Affirmations

Remember to affirm yourself, too.

The same benefits of affirming others apply to you as well. For example, Self-affirmations will boost your self-confidence and encourage positive thoughts.

• When you affirm yourself, use the present tense and be less demanding. “I am…” is better than I will…,” I want to…,” or “I need to…”

• Make it positive. Instead of “I am going to stop making so many errors,” say “I am capable.”

• Make it brief. Phrases like “I am strong,” “I am confident,” and “I am resilient” are impactful and easier to remember, so they can become a daily routine to repeat them out loud. Hearing the words spoken reinforces the belief and encourages you to demonstrate that belief.

Make it a routine to speak self-affirmations out loud.

Try out what works for you. It could be sticking your self-affirmations list on your bathroom mirror and repeating it to yourself every morning. You could also say it out loud in your car on your way to work. Don’t worry. No one will think you are speaking to yourself. They’ll think you are on the phone, like the many others who will be around you.

I encourage you to take a moment today to genuinely affirm at least five people you meet. You may just turn a life around.

Declare today a special day of affirmation. Would you start by thanking someone close to you for something specific they have done for you?

I’ll start: “Thank you, for being a subscriber to Germain Empowerment blog. I value your permission to share from my experience and knowledge with you, as well as your personal and public comments shared with me about the different posts.”

Empowered Leader Reflection

How much impact would you make if you made today a day of affirmation?

Would you share your thoughts with us below?

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