Carol Dweck, the world’s leading psychologist, is right: The view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life. The need for daily affirmations for a leader is much like the need for daily vitamin intake.
What is an affirmation?
- The act of affirming or the state of being affirmed; assertion.
- Something declared to be true; a positive statement or judgment.
There are some things that I do that I “feel” like I do an okay job with – but sometimes to be confident of your talents and abilities, you just need to hear it from someone else day that you’re doing a good job. So when someone else comes along and says, “Well done!” that is an affirmation.
Here’s a list of 50 affirmations from Laurie Beth’s Jesus CEO. I believe every leader should recite every single morning. Print out a copy. Put in on your desk or refrigerator. Discipline yourself to remind you who you are.
1. I proudly say I AM, knowing clearly my strengths and God-given talents. I repeat my strengths to myself often, knowing my words are my wardrobe.
2. I have learned in my own wilderness what my strengths are. I use “desert times” to get clearer on my calling and my true goals.
3. I am clear about my mission. I spend my time working on and accomplishing what is deepest and truest and most inspiring.
4. I shape my own destiny. What I believe, I become. What I believe, I can do.
5. What I say and ask for is accomplished in amazing ways and with amazing speed.
6. I keep in constant contact with my Higher Power, knowing that I need added insight to see the road up ahead.
7. I do the difficult things. I accomplish difficult and challenging tasks with strength and resolve, knowing that these jumps are placed in the arena for training and strengthening.
8. I do not need or seek others’ approval. I am internally connected to my Higher Power and listen to the still, small voice that alone knows my best path
9. I commit my passion to my cause, knowing that passion is the power that creates new life, new joys, and new accomplishments for myself and others.
10. I see things differently and am always willing to look at situations in new and enlivening ways.
11. I behold others, taking time to be centered and to embrace them in each holy moment.
12. I am aware that only God knows the total plan and that I am a part of it. What the High Power asks me to do, I do willingly.
13. I urge myself and others on, unwilling to settle for less than the highest to which I am called.
14. I sleep well at night, knowing that each of us is called to and capable of making our own choices.
15. It is okay for me to hold others accountable for their own actions and the consequences of those actions, whatever they may be.
16. I empower others through my example. I agree that masculine and feminine energy have equal rights and responsibilities.
17. I quit whining and start walking, taking God’s power in every situation.
18. I spend lots of time with my staff, knowing that life, love, and laughter are learned by osmosis.
19. I always convey to others my highest thoughts or feelings about any situation.
20. I acknowledge others in public and in private. I see praise as being the number-one priority on everybody’s paycheck.
21. I release and forgive others, knowing that what is loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven. I aim to soar. I release others so that I myself can fly.
22. I judge no one, knowing that judging others causes major energy leaks in my life. Judging others is not in my job description. When I judge others, I am automatically out of bounds and out of tune…especially with myself.
23. I pray for others, carrying them like inscriptions day and night upon my heart. I seek their welfare and their good. I light candles for them daily in the quiet of my mind.
24. I see my work with people as being my greatest joy, my greatest gift, and my greatest accomplishment.
25. I see others as God’s gift to me.
26. I am open to others and their ideas. I know that others may have parts of the puzzle that are missing for me. I acknowledge their contributions openly and freely. I give them the credit that is their due.
27. I am a transparent leader. I know my strength is in my openness and honesty with others.
28. I believe in others. I always seek and believe in their good. I defend others, for when a sparrow falls. I, too, fall. We are all of one relation.
29. I serve others, knowing that service is a circle: when I serve others, I, too, shall be served.
30. I treat everyone as my equal. We are all kings and queens of empires. I respect the royalty in others, knowing that no matter what appearances may be, we are each royalty.
31. I am constantly in a state of celebration. I see life as an opportunity to celebrate. I keep joy handy for any occasion, I share my cup with others.
32. I see everything as being alive.
33. I have a plan. I spend quality time daily developing and implementing my plan. I do not let others distract me or allow busyness to delude me.
34. I reach out and touch the fragile things. I am aware of the fragile things in others. I find ways to nourish and nurture and make time for the delicate things in life. I look for the flowers along the freeway. I take the slow road sometimes.
35. I call the question. I am eager and willing to make decisions and to take action. I believe and know that the truth will set me – and others – free.
36. I know that fears may always be with me. I feel the fear and do it anyway. I plant my seed even when there are clouds in the sky.
37. I review and update my resources daily. I know that I have command of all that I see. I know that if I need something, I can ask and it will be given to me. I let the physics of unwavering faith do marvelous work for me.
38. I take as many people to the top with me as possible.
39. I look for ways to advance and enhance the life of everyone I know.
40. I clearly define the rewards involved in any task…for myself and others. I keep sight of those rewards in difficult and challenging times.
41. I branch out. I make tent pegs firm and stretch out my banners freely. I widen the space of my tent. I know that I have beautiful territories ahead of me.
42. I am ten times bolder than I was yesterday. I do the bold things and take action. It is my destiny.
43. I manage my life from the inside out. I keep the grass closest to me green. I take time to inform and educate and nurture those closest to me.
44. I am aware that God loves to play surprise. I offer myself as a resource and trust that the strength will come.
45. I am willing to break ranks if my army is not marching. My calling is to be a leader, not a follower.
46. My word goes out and accomplishes that which I send it to do.
47. I have a sense of destiny. I am destined to succeed.
48. I do not despite the little things, knowing little seeds contain the potential for beauty and greatness.
49. I say “Why not me?” I am willing to accept God’s greater challenges and blessings as they come.
50. I come to be a blessing. My goal is to bless others in multiple ways.