I started listening to the audio tapes of the late Zig Ziglar following Seth Godin’s glowing recommendation.
Ziglar was one of the pioneering motivation and personal development coaches of the 20th Century. He’s a joy to listen to, he’s hilarious, and the underlying principles of his talks remain relevant today.
One thing Ziglar encouraged his listeners to do was partake in daily affirmations: simple, positive statements describing goals in their completed states.
The idea is deceptively simple: if you consistently speak positives words about yourself out loud, you’ll begin to believe them, and your behaviour will change to make them true.
I was skeptical at first, but now I’m a bigger believer in this kind of positive self talk.
I’m going to paste Ziglar’s daily affirmation below. Have a read, and I’d love to hear if any of it resonates with you.
For thirty days, first thing in the morning, last thing at night, by yourself, in front of a mirror, stand up straight, square your shoulders, look yourself in the eye and quietly, firmly say in the first-person present-tense:
“I, __, am a person of integrity, with a good attitude and specific goals.
- I have a high energy level, am enthusiastic, and take pride in my appearance and in what I do.
- I have a sense of humor, lots of faith, wisdom, and the vision, empathy and courage to use my talents effectively.
- I have character, and am knowledgeable. My convictions are strong and I have a healthy self-image, a passion for what is right, and a solid hope for the future.
- I am an honest, sincere, and hard-working person.
- I am tough, but fair and sensitive.
- I am disciplined, motivated, and focused.
- I am a good listener and patient, but take decisive action.
- I am bold and confident, yet humble.
- I am an encourager, a good finder, and a forgiving person.
- I am a student, a teacher, and a self-starter.
- I am obedient, loyal, responsible and dependable.
- I have a servant’s heart, am ambitious and a team-player.
- I am intelligent, competent, persistent and creative.
- I am health-conscious, “balanced” and “clean.”
- I am flexible, punctual and thrifty. I am an honourable person who is truly grateful for the opportunity life has given me.
These are the qualities of the winner I was born to be and I fully intend to
develop these marvellous qualities with which I have been entrusted. Today is the first day of the rest of my life and it is WONDERFUL!