I will start this blog post off by saying that I am not someone who is religious, particularly spiritual, a “karma” person, or a believer in the statement “everything happens for a reason.” I’m a realist, not a romantic; I believe in being a good person, the importance of empathy, and I focus my faith on science. However. I do believe in the power of positivity. I believe that when you find reasons to be happy rather than bummed-out and goal-oriented rather than helpless, you are much more likely to find and fulfill your definition of success.
I mean all this in the sense of boldly adhering to these ideals. Knowing your worth, working hard, and stating what you want, loudly and proudly, are qualities that I see in the most successful people; whether their success is financial, freedom-focused, or both.
I used to be a person who struggled a lot with confidence. I use “used to be” lightly because it’s something I still struggle with at times. The difference is that now I’ve started to recognize it when it comes on and instead of wallowing, I quite literally shake my head from side to side to remove the negative thoughts and then, if I need an extra boost, I go through my positivity practice.
Here it is…
- I created a Positivity Notebook, with tabbed sections because I’m alarmingly organized.
- I look at this notebook every day and more than once a day when I’m in need of more positivity.
- My notebook consists of the following sections:
- Financial account- I keep a tally of the money that comes to me on a daily basis. Business income, a coupon for a free burrito, finding a 10 spot in a bag I haven’t carried for a while, whatever. I quickly jot down this stuff to remind me that money is all around and it’s not something to feel embarrassed, worried, or scared about.
- My goals- personal goals, business goals, and financial goals are written down in detail (i.e. I have a description of the kind of kitchen I hope to have one day).
- Affirmations- confident statements I’ve written about my abilities and worth.
- Accomplishments- things I’ve done that I’m proud of.
- I open my notebook and say out loud all of my goals, my affirmations, and my accomplishments.
- I let myself sit with my eyes closed for a minute to really let what I just said sink in.
I find that when I say what I want out loud, I am more likely to get it. Not because of some hocus-pocus, wishy-washy magic but because by saying it out loud, it becomes real. It becomes attainable. It becomes so clearly something I am capable of, rather than this idea and hope in my head.
That is seriously powerful.
I find that when I say things out loud I’m more focused. I’m more determined. I’m more productive.
It’s a simple idea but an effective one.
So, darling designers, I challenge you to do the same. Write down your goals and accomplishments and affirmations and boldly say them, out loud, with confidence and determination, every single time you feel yourself wavering.
Lots of love and encouragement,