Four tiny actions that will make you 10 times happier
I never thought I’d retweet Kanye West. But a few weeks ago, he said something that made so much sense to me that I shared it: “Everyone should be their own biggest fan.”
I wholeheartedly agree. Are you your own biggest fan?
It’s so easy to have positive thoughts about the people we love — we think they are talented, kind, smart, beautiful — but have you stopped to consider recently that you’re those things too?
Don’t leave affirmations up to chance. Words have power, and affirmations work because they have the power to transform your life. Because what follows the words “I am” will follow you. Here’s how you can make positive affirmations a no-brainer in your life:
1. Set positive affirmation reminders on your phone
They can go off at completely random times of day — 11:45 a.m., 3:32 p.m., 9:17 p.m., whenever you want — and you’ll get the boost you need when you’re in a meeting, worrying about the future in bed or feeling anxious on the highway. It’s always the right time for an affirmation!
2. Pepper Post-its
As I shared on Instagram recently, I have Post-its all over my home: the doors, mirrors, the fridge! On my front door, there’s a Post-it that’s been there for months. It says something I picked up from Abraham Hicks: “Everything always works out for me.” I see it every single time I walk my dog, go to lunch, pick up a package from my doorman — and why? The better question is, Why the heck not? It’s only upside to think this way. Walking out the door with confidence makes a complete difference to the person everyone sees that day.
3. Don’t pass up the password opportunity
You have to log in to your laptop, inboxes, streaming account, online banking, etc. nearly every day. Why not affirm yourself each time with a password like, “Iam!thebest123,” “life15good,” or make it your savings goal, like “twenty five thou$and.”
It could even be where you’re dreaming of travelling next year: “Tokyo2019.”
Don’t waste the opportunity to affirm yourself and your goals. Think about it: a few letters that give you a boost every time you type ’em? That’s pretty fly for a Wi-Fi!
4. Celebrate small wins
Remember to congratulate yourself, even when you do something that may seem or feel unimportant. Maybe you ate well that day, meditated two days in a row or held your tongue instead of engaging in a fight with a friend. Say to yourself, “Great job!” Because success in life is only ever just a series of small wins.
Recently, I navigated my way around the Bronx for the first time (visiting the zoo!) and said to my friend, “I think I did well today — finding everything we wanted and even choosing the best restaurant!” She told me my appreciation of my own efforts made her realize how many negative thoughts she thinks about herself. She never gives herself any credit, and my affirmation of a job well done that day gave her the freedom and permission to do the same.
Here’s the wonderful gift in all of this: when you affirm yourself, it somehow unofficially greenlights others to do the same. I’m told by a lot of people that I’m a great encourager. It’s true: I’m enthusiastic about uplifting others. But I think the secret is, I encourage myself first.
As the old saying goes, you can’t give away what you don’t have. And the ultimate goal in this world is to share joy, right? So affirm your way there!