Understand the Power of Daily
Affirmations and Success Tips
Our
lives are an outer manifestation of our inner thoughts and beliefs. Our whole
lives can be transformed if we choose to think positive thoughts and commit to
being better persons. Positive affirmations are simple positive statements that
you can choose to repeat to yourself.
An
increased body of scientific evidence supports the proposition that you can
“say it until you become it.” In other words, if you define who you want to be,
and repeat that vision repeatedly, you are much more likely to transform
yourself into that person.
Stated
differently, daily affirmations are positive statements that describe a desired
situation, which are often repeated, until they get impressed on your mind. As
you repeat these statements, you come to believe them. This in turn pushes you
to take action and to strive to make the positive statements come true.
Daily affirmations train your brain
to think positively; they are uplifting truths you want to believe and
heartwarming convictions about yourself or the world as a whole. They are one
of the most effective ways to proactively and permanently change the way you
think.
There are many “daily affirmation”
videos on YouTube which you can explore, and then introduce to your students.
Students can also be encourage to make their own daily affirmations – by
posting in their dorm rooms or place of study, or even by making their own
videos
Similar
to daily affirmations are “success tips.” These phrases serve as reminders to
you. These phrases are typically advice from those who have already achieved
success.
Exercise #1:
Watch this short TED Talks video,
“Richard St. John's 8 secrets of success” http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_john_s_8_secrets_of_success.html (3:33).
Write down any “success tips” you
discern from the video, which you may find useful in your life, in your
journal.
Exercise #2:
Over the next three days, review the
following daily affirmations and success tips – and the text or videos which
accompanies them.
Choose the most powerful daily
affirmations and success tips (either in text form, or video), and write them
down in your journal. You are not confined to the list below. You may also
choose success tips or daily affirmations which you have previously discovered
and use in your life.
Place the chosen success tips on a
sheet of paper, and post the paper in your room where you are certain to see
them each morning. Review the success tips each morning for the next seven
days. After seven days, write in your journal as to the impact of these success
tips upon you. Consider continuing the use of success tips and daily
affirmations in subsequent weeks.
Daily Affirmations for Your Consideration
·
I
am the architect of my life; I build its foundation and choose its contents.
·
I
am a successful student.
·
I
will allow myself enough sleep each night to fully rest, so that I may learn
without drowsiness the next day.
·
Today,
I am brimming with energy and overflowing with joy.
·
My
body is healthy; my mind is brilliant; my soul is tranquil.
·
I
will exercise my body each day, in ways that I enjoy.
·
I
am superior to negative thoughts and low actions.
·
I
have been given endless talents which I begin to utilize today.
·
I
forgive those who have harmed me in my past and peacefully detach from them.
·
A
river of compassion washes away my anger and replaces it with love.
·
I
possess the qualities needed to be extremely successful.
·
Creative
energy surges through me and leads me to new and brilliant ideas.
·
Happiness
is my choice. I base my happiness on my own accomplishments and the blessings
I've been given.
·
My
ability to conquer my challenges is limitless; my potential to succeed is
infinite.
·
Everything
I encounter is a lesson and teaches me something.
·
Today
and every day, my thirst for learning is alive and well in me!
·
I
can learn anything.
·
My
study habits improve daily.
·
I
choose to take charge of my education, for I know that the more I learn, the
more I will achieve.
·
A
great student lives within me; today that student shows up by preparing for
each class and actively participating in class.
·
I
will master the material in my classes, and I will over time become an expert.
·
Today
I invest in myself, through learning and scholarship, so that tomorrow I can
make a difference.
·
I
enjoy studying and learning.
·
I
respect my professors and fellow students by arriving on time for classes.
·
I
choose to grow each day and become an even better person.
·
I
deserve to be employed and paid well for my time, efforts, and ideas.
·
Each
day, I am closer to finding the perfect job for me.
·
I
am courageous and I stand up for myself.
·
Sometimes
I will leap before I look and take chances.
·
I
choose to rush toward my fears, for life is better on the other side.
·
My
thoughts are filled with positivity and my life is plentiful with prosperity.
·
Today,
I abandon my old habits and take up new, more positive ones.
·
Many
people look up to me and recognize my worth; I am admired.
·
I
am blessed with an incredible family and wonderful friends.
·
I
acknowledge my own self-worth; my confidence is soaring.
·
Everything
that is happening now is happening for my ultimate good.
·
I
am a powerhouse; I am indestructible.
·
My
future is an ideal projection of what I envision now.
·
My
efforts are being supported by the universe; my dreams manifest into reality
before my eyes.
·
The
perfect partner for me is coming into my life sooner than I expect.
·
I
radiate beauty, charm, and grace.
·
I
am conquering my illness; I am defeating it steadily each day.
·
My
obstacles are moving out of my way; my path is carved towards greatness.
·
I
wake up today with strength in my heart and clarity in my mind.
·
My
fears of tomorrow are simply melting away.
·
I
am at peace with all that has happened, is happening, and will happen.
·
My
life is just beginning.
·
I
chose to never, ever, give up!
Success Tips for Your Consideration
·
“I am a scholar, motivated to
succeed. I am part of a diverse, caring community of scholars.”
Repeating this phrase will assist you
realize that scholarship is a part of your life. Create the image you should
be, and you will more likely achieve that image.
·
“Self-Control and Grit are the Most
Important Determinants of Success”
A TedX talk by Angela Lee Duckworth,
“Grit – The Key to Success,” illuminates the importance of grit (i.e.,
perseverance and determination) in this 6-minute video: http://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_the_key_to_success_grit.html
·
“9 hours 15 minutes”
What Can Sleep Do for You in College? With adequate sleep, you will feel energized and focused.
Your grades will improve. You will be more vibrant and alive. You'll smile
more. More people will say about you, "Wow, I'd really like to get to know
that person." You'll even secure more dates!
The Dire Consequences of Insufficient Sleep. Sleep is an important key to health,
wellness, cell growth, memory formation, mental agility, physical performance,
and peace of mind. You name it and sleep can improve it. Insufficient sleep can
have serious and sometimes fatal consequences for themselves and others around
them. For example, an estimated 20% of vehicle crashes are linked to drowsy
driving.
Short sleep duration is associated
with various adverse health effects (e.g., cardiovascular disease or obesity),
decreased workplace and public safety, and impaired job performance. Being
drowsy during a job interview will usually result in a short interview. And, of
course, appearing drowsy during a conference with a prospective client, or at a
networking event, can easily convey the wrong impression concerning you and
your abilities.
How Much Sleep Does a College Student Need? The National Sleep Foundation
recommends that healthy adults sleep 7–9 hours per day. For college students
the recommended amount of sleep is 9 hours 15 minutes for the average college student,
to be fully engaged in all of your classes, and for maximum learning. (Most college students possess overconfidence
in their abilities, and hence substantially underestimate how much sleep they
require.)
Yet, 30% of civilian employed U.S.
adults (approximately 40.6 million workers) reported an average sleep duration
of less than or equal to only 6 hours per day, according to the Centers for
Disease Control.
Sleep Advice from Fellow Students. Here is some
advice from college students about getting enough sleep:
·
“While
it may sound self-explanatory, in our freshman year it took some of us some
time to realize that he or she needed to get a good night’s sleep. Once one’s
sleep each night increased, so did one’s GPA.”
·
“Regardless
of how much you might personally need, you will have a hard time concentrating
in class – and learning – if you are drowsy. Also, your ability to retain facts
in memory is greatly enhanced when you get enough sleep.”
·
“If
you get plenty of rest, you will have more energy to make it to every class on
time, and to do all of the readings and assignments.”
To manage all your time better, get
more sleep. More sleep will also lead to you being nicer, more attractive, and
generally more awesome. And yes, more sleep can even lead to greater
socialization. Better grades is then just an added bonus!
Additional Resource: Dr. James Maas, The Power of Sleep.
To learn more, consider watching this 28-minute video, “Dr. James Maas at The
UP Experience 2010”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxEJTNEtIKY.
·
“Ooze Confidence” (And if you are not
confident … fake it!)
“Fake it till you make it” is not about faking happiness until you trick yourself into
being happy. It’s not about acting like you’re too cool for school until other
people also believe you are, and then basing your life around a made-up
personality. It’s about confidence. It’s about meeting situations that you feel
intimidated by head-on, telling yourself that you’re ready for them, and
putting “I-can-DO-this” intentions out there, until you’ve done such a good job
convincing yourself that you suddenly can handle the challenge before you.
Appear confident, in everything you
do. And if you are not – fake it! (By
appearing to act confident, those around you don’t know of your insecurities –
and it actually trains your mind to think confidently!)
Some YouTube videos which explore the
concept of “self-confidence” further:
“How to Build Your Self-Confidence” – Daily Idea - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLAogkva-Ok (3:12) (Walk 25% faster. Stand up
straight. Complement others. Speak up at least once in each group
discussion. Make time to work out.)
“Inspirational Video on Increasing Your Confidence” – Believe in yourself
(from Britain’s Got Talent) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__Gs02ZmUmE (3:02)
·
“Don’t Lie Down with Dogs – You’ll
Get Up with Fleas”
If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas, or in Latin, qui cum canibus concumbunt cum pulicibus surgent.
"He that lieth down with dogs
shall rise up with fleas" has been attributed to Benjamin Franklin's Poor
Richard's Almanack. The quote has a large almost universally agreed meaning of
"You should be cautious of the company you keep. Associating with those of
low reputation may not only lower your own but also lead you astray by the
faulty assumptions, premises and data of the unscrupulous."
Studies indicate that your income is
destined to become the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
But it gets worse. Your weight is destined to become the average of the five
people you’re around most. Your habits (smoking, drinking, etc.) will correlate
with those folks. Your level of marital satisfaction, of outside friendship, of
ability to play the 1990s video game Street
Fighter? All are tied to some degree to those of your peers.
View Greg Reid’s YouTube Video, “How
to Create Success by Association”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwkdEI7Dbyg (2:23).
Also view this video from the College
Success Series by Pedro De Abreu: “Who do you hang out with” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJg22LtLcVo (7:30).
Remember - love your family and
friends – but choose your peer group.
·
“If you don't have time to do it
right, when will you have time to do it over?” – John Wooden
These are key words of wisdom from
one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time.
It takes “self-control” – making a
sacrifice today in order to obtain a greater reward later. This is aptly
explained by behavioral psychologist Dan Ariely in a TedX talk, “Dan Ariely at
TEDxDuke”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPQhj6ktYSo&feature=g-list&list=PLWISm-2xRzgkKn4kRcpLopDT_i7JRmnKG (17:48)
·
“Success is not given to you. It is earned.”
Realize the Empirical Value of a College Education. The Great Recession of 2008-2009,
from which the United States economy is still recovering, revealed some stark
truths regarding the value of a college education. Not only do college
graduates earn a great deal more over the course of their lifetimes, but also
their rate of unemployment is far below that of those who do not possess
college educations. In short, there are jobs out there – for educated and skilled workers.
·
“Just Do It. Do It. Do It. Do It … DO IT NOW!”
Say the foregoing statement out loud to yourself whenever you are
tempted to procrastinate. Even when others are around you. (They may ask you
what you are doing, and then they’ll be inwardly jealous of you.) This
statement – if you actually state it out loud – works to assist you in getting
started on a project.
Procrastinators don't have good
problem solving skills and struggle more with homework than those that did it
consistently early. Here are some videos
on avoiding procrastination and using available time more effectively.
Establish your work space to avoid
distractions. “Stop Procrastinating” by
Charlie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjIsdbBsE8g (4:17)
Starting a project is the biggest
barrier to productivity. Use periods of
focused, intense work, followed by breaks (90 minutes followed by 15-minute
break). See “The Science of Productivity” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHfjvYzr-3g (3:15).
Also view “The Science of
Procrastination – & How to Manage It” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nBwfZZvjKo (2:49).
·
“When you want to succeed as bad as
you want to breathe, then you'll be successful.”
A great video on this, “How Bad Do
You Want It? (Success)” is found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSC2vx7zFQ (6:00), featuring Eric Thomas
(inspirational speaker) and former East Carolina running back Giavanni Ruffin.
Eric Thomas also communicates this
lesson in a classroom setting, in this “How Bad Do You Want Success” video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRfoFGGyRvU (5:30)
Some students watch this video every
day - as a daily affirmation.
·
“Be who you are and say what you feel
because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” – Dr.
Seuss
Adam LoDolce, “The Dating Confidence
Coach,” once gave a presentation on our college campus. He related the story of
how he learned to venture outside of his own comfort zone. He had sought out
the advice of a colleague, and they were having lunch at a crowded restaurant.
When Adam inquired of his colleague as to how to be more outgoing, his colleague
stood up on his chair in the restaurant and shouted out, “I love all of you
very much.”
Some in the restaurant smiled. Some
even applauded. After his colleague sat down, the colleague said: “See that
table over there, where the family is looking at me disapprovingly? That’s o.k.
Not everyone will accept me for whom I am. From now on, they are no longer a
part of my universe.”
Don’t be afraid of what others think
of you. There are plenty of people who will accept you for who you are. If you
encounter rejection (and realize that you will – and everyone does), just note
that that person, or those people, are no longer a part of your own universe.
And move on.
·
“Your work is going to fill a large
part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you
believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you
do. If you haven't found it yet, keep
looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you
find it.” - Steve Jobs
Watch this short video, “Steve Jobs
passion at work,” at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PznJqxon4zE (1:31)
If you are uncertain of your career
path, narrow down your choice of careers by discovering what personality traits
you possess, and learn how you can translate your various aptitudes into
possible career paths. And, as also discussed in another chapter, seek out a
career for which you possess a passion.
·
“Never give up.” Some inspirational videos:
“Best
Motivation Video Ever” (people who failed) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmTxr7OsPj0&feature=g-list&list=PLWISm-2xRzgkKn4kRcpLopDT_i7JRmnKG (1:17)
“Never
Give Up in Life – A Truly Inspirational Video” Nicholas James Vujicic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13N6gAlhAqg (5:18)
Never
Give up: Inspirational video” (zebra battles lion): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx796zSg5gs (2:46)
Jimmy
Valvano: “Jimmy’s 1993 ESPY Speech”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuoVM9nm42E (11:14)
“Derek
Redmond's Incredible Olympic Story - Injury Mid-Race”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2G8KVzTwfw (2:35)
·
“You can have anything you want if
you are willing to give up the belief that you can't have it.” – Robert Anthony
Do you believe that you can’t get an
“A”? You’re right.
Do you believe that you can’t succeed
in college? You’re right.
Do you believe you are a loser?
You’re right.
BUT …
Do you believe you’re a winner?
You’re right.
Do you believe you can boost your
GPA? You’re right.
Do you believe you will have a
successful career? You’re right.
Tell your mind what you want it to think. Internalize those thoughts into
beliefs. And your mind will begin to find ways to prove you right. You can achieve everything in your wildest dreams. But you
won’t if you believe you can’t. Your mind will work to keep you stuck right
where you are.
It’s your choice. Choose enthusiasm, energy, and elation. Choose to win. Choose BIG success!
Here’s more inspirational videos:
“Susan Boyle First Audition - Britain’s Got Talent”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OcQ9A-5noM (7:03)
·
“Don't ever promise more than you can
deliver, but always deliver more than you promise.” – Lou Holtz
Establish the expectations of your
supervisor, your peers, your clients and customers. And then exceed them.
If you know you won’t meet the
expectation of another – contact them,
and re-establish a new expectation. The very worst thing you can do is have a
deadline pass, without reaching out.
·
“If you go looking for a friend,
you’re going to find they’re scarce. If
you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.” – Zig Ziglar
Why is it when we need friends the most, we
can't find them? Zig Ziglar's quote addresses that "what can you do for
someone else" approach that will help you make friends simply by thinking
of other people first. If you're desperate to have friends, you will behave in
a way that is different than if you're out to be friendly and helpful. One way
to achieve this attitude Ziglar speaks of is by volunteering. Doing something
for others can help you meet people while you give of yourself. Showing this
side of yourself will make you much more attractive to new friends. And, as so
many of us who have done so know – what you give to others, you get back
ten-fold.
·
“Rush toward your fear. Life is great on the other side.”
When you are afraid or fearful of
something – whether it be introducing yourself to a stranger, public speaking,
performing, etc. – rush toward this fear and get it done. It’s great on the other side.
Tips from Professional Coaches. Perhaps the
largest challenge is not in finding success tips, but rather applying them to
your own life, business, or professional practice. For this reason, many successful
entrepreneurs use coaches, a couple of whom are listed below.
Other people have learned to write
down the success tips they come across, and then condense them into not more
than a single piece of paper (front and back).
Whether placed in a smart phone, or in a purse of wallet, this listing
of success tips is consulted often. As a
better success tip is uncovered, the listing is changed – but always kept to
two pages (never more). Even then, implementation
of only one or two strategies should be undertaken. Again, focus is important.
·
Enhance Your Communication Skills.
“You Build Trust by Listening to the
Client's Story, not by Telling Yours.” - –Bill Bachrach, author and coach to
financial advisors. Visit http://www.baivbfp.com/
·
“Make Today Count”
“Good decisions today will give you a
better tomorrow … Keep a positive attitude throughout the day. Happiness is a
matter of perspective - it is something you decide ahead of time. Influence
others with your attitude. Say something positive in every conversation ...
Sincerely compliment, praise, acknowledge, bolster, raise up, and reward people
whenever possible. Express gratitude daily.” – John Maxwell, author of Make Today Count: The Secret of Your Success
Is Determined by Your Daily Agenda, and many other books
·
The Seven C's of Success - by Brian
Tracy
“After having studied top achievers
and peak performers over the past 25 years, I've concluded that these unique
men and women, have in most cases, mastered what I call the Seven C's of
Success.
o
Clarity - Eighty percent of success comes
from being clear on who you are, what you believe in and what you want.
o
Competence - You can't climb to the next rung
on the ladder until you are excellent at what you do now.
o
Constraints - Eighty percent of all obstacles to
success come from within. Find out what is constraining in you or your company
and deal with it.
o
Concentration - The ability to focus on one thing
single-mindedly and see it through until it's done takes more character than
anything else.
o
Creativity - Flood your life with ideas from
many sources. Creativity needs to be exercised like a muscle, if you don't use
it you'll lose it.
o
Courage - Most in demand and least in
supply, courage is the willingness to do the things you know are right.
o
Continuous learning - Read, at the very least, one book
a week on business to keep you miles ahead of the competition. And just as you
eat and bathe, organize your time so you spend 30 minutes a day exploring
e-mail, sending messages, going through web sites, because like exercise, it's
the only way you can keep on top of technology. If you get away from it, you'll
lose your edge.”
The foregoing is from Brian Tracy, http://www.appleseeds.org/Tracy_7-Cs-Success.htm
Concepts from “The Strategic Coach”:
Define Your Unique Ability. The essence of what you love to do
and do best, in all areas of your life.
Delegate “competent” activities – those for which I am merely competent,
and “incompetent activities” – those that are stressful due to lack of required
skill. “Is this something I should be doing, or can it be done better by
someone else?”
Unique Ability Activities – The activities for which you have
superior skill, passion, energy, and endless opportunity for improvement.
Excellent Activities – The activities for which you have
superior skill, a great reputation, and sense of teamwork, but no passion.
Competent Activities – The activities for which you are
merely adequate, only reaching minimum standards.
Incompetent Activities - The activities where you
experience failure and stress because you don’t have the required skill.
Referability Habits. Show up on time. Do what you say.
Finish what you start. Say please and thank you.
The R-Factor Question: “If we were sitting here three
years from today, what has to have happened during that three-year period for
you to feel happy about your progress?”
The 10x Goal: Last year’s revenue, multiplied by
10. Obtain a dramatically expanded vision of the company’s future. Consider the
crucial delegations I must make to achieve this 10x growth. How have I
leveraged myself, and my team? Approach it as a game. Brainstorm with team
members key changes that will lead to breakthrough growth – communicate the
largest check goal to the team; strategize together how to achieve these goals.
Learn more from Dan Sullivan, by
visiting www.Strategiccoach.com.
Dr. Ron A. Rhoades is an Asst. Professor of Finance at Western Kentucky University's Gordon Ford College of Business, where he chairs the (B.S. Finance) Financial Planning Program. An innovative, passionate teacher, he is the author of Choose to Succeed in College and in Life: Continously Improve, Persevere, and Enjoy the Journey (2014), from which many of these blog posts are derived.
Dr. Rhoades also serves as a consultant to the Garrett Planning Network, a nationwide network of independent, Fee-Only financial planners making competent, objective financial advice accessible to all people. He is the author of several books, dozens of articles, and he is a frequent speaker at financial planning and investments conferences. He is the recipient of many awards for his advocacy on behalf of the fiduciary standard. Dr. Rhoades is also a member of The Florida Bar, and he practices estate planning and transfer taxation for select current clients.
Dr. Rhoades and his wife, Cathy, reside in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
To contact Dr. Rhoades, please e-mail: WKUBear@gmail.com.
Dr. Ron A. Rhoades is an Asst. Professor of Finance at Western Kentucky University's Gordon Ford College of Business, where he chairs the (B.S. Finance) Financial Planning Program. An innovative, passionate teacher, he is the author of Choose to Succeed in College and in Life: Continously Improve, Persevere, and Enjoy the Journey (2014), from which many of these blog posts are derived.
Dr. Rhoades also serves as a consultant to the Garrett Planning Network, a nationwide network of independent, Fee-Only financial planners making competent, objective financial advice accessible to all people. He is the author of several books, dozens of articles, and he is a frequent speaker at financial planning and investments conferences. He is the recipient of many awards for his advocacy on behalf of the fiduciary standard. Dr. Rhoades is also a member of The Florida Bar, and he practices estate planning and transfer taxation for select current clients.
Dr. Rhoades and his wife, Cathy, reside in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
To contact Dr. Rhoades, please e-mail: WKUBear@gmail.com.
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