This #MakeItHappenMonday, we’re diving into the transformative power of affirmations—powerful phrases that can shift your mindset, renew your confidence, and keep you resilient through the ups and downs of a performing career. As best-selling author of The Miracle Morning, Hal Elrod says, affirmations allow us to design and develop the mindset we need to reach our next level. Let’s look at how you can use affirmations to build the self-belief and resilience that’s key to your journey.

Why Affirmations Matter

For performers, much of our growth happens internally, and it’s easy to let self-doubt creep in, especially when facing criticism, competition, or rejection. Negative self-talk can chip away at our confidence and creativity, holding us back from truly thriving on stage and in our lives. By embracing affirmations, we take control of our internal dialogue and begin to replace limiting beliefs with powerful, positive ones.

The Power of Repetition

Success stories from legends like Muhammad Ali, who famously declared, “I am the greatest,” show how the repeated use of affirmations can lead to deep conviction. When you affirm something consistently, it begins to reshape your inner belief system. Over time, these beliefs transform your behaviours, confidence, and ultimately, your results.

5 Steps to Crafting Effective Affirmations

Ready to create your affirmations? Here’s a simple guide inspired by The Miracle Morning that’ll help you build affirmations that resonate with your unique goals and dreams.

1. Define What You Really Want
   Get specific about your goals as a performer. Whether it’s mastering a new skill, landing a dream role, or feeling more confident on stage, write down what success looks like for you.
2. Identify Your Deepest Why
   Why is this goal important to you? When your affirmation connects with a strong reason, it becomes more powerful. For instance, “I am committed to my craft because performing helps me inspire and uplift others.”
3. Commit to Who You Need to Be
   Think about the qualities you need to embody to make your goals a reality. Maybe it’s resilience, focus, or fearlessness. For example, “I am resilient and embrace every opportunity to grow, knowing that each step brings me closer to my dreams.”
4. Specify the Actions You’ll Take
   Affirm what you’re committed to doing. Be specific and realistic. For instance, “I rehearse daily to refine my skills, giving my best every day.”
5. Add Inspiring Quotes or Philosophies
   Include empowering words or quotes that resonate with you. An example could be, “As Henry Ford said, ‘Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.’ I choose to believe in my potential.”

Pro Tips for Effective Affirmations:

• Repeat with Feeling: Say your affirmations out loud and infuse them with genuine emotion.
• Incorporate Movement: Try practicing affirmations while standing tall or incorporating them into your warm-up routine, connecting body and mind.
• Consistency is Key: Make affirmations a daily ritual to keep them active in your subconscious mind.

Ready to Create Your Success?

This week, commit to using affirmations as part of your routine. Write them out, say them daily, and watch as you build the resilience and confidence to navigate the challenges of your performing career. Take control of your self-talk and choose affirmations that reflect your true potential.

Action Steps:

• Write down three affirmations aligned with your current goals.
• Say them out loud every morning, ideally in front of a mirror, to solidify the belief.
• Keep a journal to track your thoughts and feelings as you practice these affirmations. Notice how they impact your mindset and behaviour over time.

Let this #MakeItHappenMonday be your Day One in designing the mindset for your success. Embrace affirmations and step confidently toward your best performance, on stage and off. Keep going, because you’ve got this!