Positive affirmations have the power to reframe a scenario, a challenge, or a conflict into an opportunity. They’re tools that help harness the inner fire 🔥 to build confidence and maintain focus. High performing athletes and performers like Conor McGregor 🥊, Michael Phelps 🏊♀️ , Lebron James 🐐 , and Beyonce 🎙️ use affirmations before performances and competitions.
McGregor, who beams with confidence, has a current UFC record of 22 wins, 6 losses, and 0 draws. His go affirmation is,
“We’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over!” 🇮🇪
Michael Phelps the Olympic swimmer has 23 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 2 bronze. His affirmations include reminders such as,
“It’s possible.”
“Control the controllable.” 🔮
“One race at a time.”
“Dream, plan, reach.” 💭 📆
Lebron James, also known as King James, the GOAT, the Chosen One, the Akron Hammer, L Train, Bron Bron, LBJ, LeFlop, and LeBrick has an impressive basketball record. He averages 25.7 points per game, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and surpassed 39,000 career points. While not explicitly sharing what his affirmations are, the principles he’s shared when talking to himself are:
“I am the greatest” 🤴
“No excuses, only results.”
“Stay focused, stay hungry.” 👁️
“I control my destiny.” ✊
And Beyonce Knowles who has a very long list of accomplishments ranging from 32 Grammy Awards, her philanthropic work, and current record holder for BET awards uses affirmations such as,
“I am powerful.”
“I am fearless.” 🛡️
“I am grateful.” 🙏
“I am in control of my destiny.”
“I am unstoppable.”
“I am enough.”
To be successful ourselves, we look towards the stars (no pun intended). Developing the habit to trigger powerful phrases in response to moments of stress requires small effort, with high value returns. According to Positivepsychology.com, there are multiple studies which outline the benefits from repeating positive affirmations. These include and are not limited to:
MRI evidence shows neural pathways are increased. 🧠
Decrease health-deteriorating stress. 🧘
Linked positively to academic achievement. 🏆
Regular practice and consistency can change the way you see yourself and your anxiety in the longer term. ☀️
Again, it’s a small investment with high value returns. To be clear, affirmations don’t remove the challenge or feelings of excitement. It’s a similar effect when listening to music while running or lifting. You have the strength, but not the will or attitude. Through inspirational words and rhythm you can keep moving.
There are lots of authors who emphasize the importance of reinforcing one’s thoughts. The common principles for doing so, is that these affirmations create boundaries against toxic negativity. They provide a strong and inspiring inner voice within ourselves. And it fills a reserve of inspiration to draw from at moments notice.
James Allen the author of As a Man Thinketh writes about how the mind is like a garden, and it too requires conscious caretaking. He said,
“Just as a gardener cultivates his plot, keeping it free from weeds, and growing the flowers and fruits which he requires, so may a man tend the garden of his mind, weeding out all the wrong, useless, and impure thoughts, and cultivating toward perfection the flowers and fruits of right, useful, and pure thoughts.” 🥀 🌺
To fight negativity, and build self confidence it starts with one’s thoughts and filling it with inspiration. Brian Tracy the motivational speaker and author who’s written close to 80 books, started an international company, and accumulated a net worth of $15 million encourage his readers to meditate daily to these affirmations.
“I am fully responsible for my own success and happiness.”
“I am committed to constant and never-ending improvement.”
“I set clear, achievable goals and take consistent action towards them.”
“I love myself. I am the best at what I do, and I love what I do.”
“I am confident in my abilities and believe in my potential.”
“I attract success, abundance, and opportunities into my life.”
“I am disciplined and focused, and I make the most of my time.”
“I embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.”
“I am grateful for the abundance in my life and express gratitude daily.”
As a Brian Tracy fan, I’ve tried reciting some of these every morning and as a result I’ve started my days with more determination and focuse. Another reason why affirmations are as powerful as they are, can be summed up in a quote from Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, who said,
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve…”
What initially inspired the idea for this blog was a challenge I found in The World’s Greatest Salesman by Og Mandino. There are scrolls that the reader and protagonist are encouraged to reach, internalize, and apply in order to achieve success as the “greatest salesman.” Here’s a high level view of each scroll and its principle.
Scroll I: I Will Form Good Habits and Become Their Slave
Scroll II: I Will Greet This Day with Love in My Heart
Scroll III: I Will Persist Until I Succeed
Scroll IV: I Am Nature’s Greatest Miracle
Scroll V: I Will Live This Day as If It Is My Last
Scroll VI: Today I Will Be Master of My Emotions
Scroll VII: I Will Laugh at the World
Scroll VIII: Today I Will Multiply My Value a Hundredfold
Scroll IX: I Will Act Now
Scroll X: I Will Pray for Guidance
I’m currently reading Scroll III every day after I finish my morning run. My favorite quote which I’ve tattooed on my brain say,
“The slaughterhouse of failure is not my destiny.” 🐑
To achieve success professionally and personally requires a strong mind. A mind that can build and inspire confidence against the external world. A mind that learns from mistakes and presses on. A mind that protects itself from negativity like the guards at Fort Knox. To get there requires practice, discipline, and effort. Again, it’s a small investment with high returns to collect affirmations.
In the book How to Think Like a Champion by Dr. Bob Rotella, a sports psychologist who’s worked with athletes in the PGA, NBA, Olympics, and business leaders, shares strategies for achieving peak performance which he’s labeled the champion’s mindset. This mindset requires thinking differently compared to the average person. Specifically putting effort to fortify self belief, confidence, and concentration in high stakes scenarios. The average person today may not be an athlete where months and years of training are contingent on one moment. However, the similarities lie in the opportunities where we peak performance and thought is needed. This could be in a negotiation, an important conversation with a friend/family, or presenting at work or to a congregation. Everyone has moments where they have to handle pressure, and the principles for thinking like a champion apply.
With positive affirmations, we develop a clear vision and detailed mental imagery of who we are and what we are working towards becoming. When we align our goals, our vision, and our actions, those affirmations become like oil on a bike chain. Over time we begin to lose consistency and enthusiasm. When those moments arise we can tap into a winning attitude and bring our A-game. To learn more affirmations here’s a list of books referenced:
- How to Think Like a Champion by Dr. Bob Rotella
- Kiss That Frog by Brian Tracy
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
- Born to Win by Zig Ziglar
- Everyday Hero by Robin Sharma
- The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma
If you agree with what’s that’s been said follow this blog and subscribe to all the social media accounts below here:
Want wisdom that sticks? Follow this blog and the Underline This Podcast on YouTube and social media for short, impactful articles and videos that get straight to the point. Plus, explore curated tools, books, and resources on the Recommendations page—everything that’s brought real value to me, shared so it can do the same for you.
Underline This Podcast 