We’re all used to self-deprecating and putting ourselves down, but having a positive mental attitude has been shown to have an immense impact on productivity and performance.
Positive affirmations are a great way to get yourself in the right headspace, consisting of motivational statements, often describing a desired situation or goal, that are repeated until they’re stuck in our subconscious mind, essentially training our brains.
Most people repeat negative words in times of high stress, which ultimately create undesirable situations, so adapt your words to build yourself up rather than knock yourself down.
When you know how to use affirmations, you get a great tool for achieving success and for improving your life, something that my Accounting Exam Accelerator Programme promotes throughout its content.
There are many ways you can integrate positive affirmations into your life, not just through thinking them in times when you need a pick me-up, and they’re sure to bring joy to your life, both in the moment and long-term.
How To Implement Them
Whilst they always take the same form of a phrase that aims to boost your mood, positive affirmations can be written, spoken or read depending on which way you find to be the most effective.
1. Repeatedly Write Them Down
Getting them to stick in your mind can be tricky at first and we know that one of the best ways to promote memory retention is to write, write and rewrite phrases.
So set aside a few pages in a notebook and write down positive affirmations over and over again until you feel they’ve had the desired effect.
2. Recite Them
Whether you shout them from the rooftops or do this in your own head, reciting positive affirmations is another great way to transfer them to your long-term memory.
If you’re in an exam setting and notice intrusive thoughts creeping in, stop for a minute or two, close your eyes and say some motivational words to yourself.
3. Stick Them On Your Mirror
If you’re finding it difficult to associate the written word with yourself, jotting down your favourite affirmations on a sticky note and placing them on your mirror ensures that when you physically see yourself as you read them.
You’ll learn to associate each one with your image and your brain will remember the phrases you read every time you look at yourself.
4. An Affirmation A Day
Simply rereading the same affirmations you’re used to might not be cutting it anymore and you won’t be the first to experience that, so there are handy books you can pick up for less than £10 where you are treated to a new phrase every day of the year.
Doubling as a great gift for anyone experiencing exam stress, you can find a range of versions both online and in bookshops.
How They Help
The ways in which using positive affirmations help you achieve a positive mindset vary based on how you include them in your life.
Their benefits vary from helping silence and momentary doubts to leaving long-term effects on your positive psyche.
1. Imprinting on your memory
Repeating a phrase that defines what you want causes your subconscious mind to strive and to work on your behalf to make the positive statement come true.
2. Silencing negative thoughts
Writing down and saying affirmations replaces doubts with positive self-talk and helps you to relax, enabling your goals to be conditioned into your memory and silencing the inner critic we all house.
3. You address yourself
We’re great at giving advice to other people, less so when we take our own advice, but writing positive affirmations in the first person means you are directly speaking to your mind and body, building your relationship with yourself.
4. Time for you
You are taking time to speak to yourself and address any insecurities you may have, removing the need for distractions and comparison to other people, making it a great skill to learn.
5. Dealing with stress
Positive affirmations can be a great way to manage stress, especially in high-pressure situations such as exams and the revision journey leading up to them.
My blog How To Deal With Stress When It Comes To Accountancy Exams identifies how positive affirmations and a handful of other techniques help to ground yourself in overwhelming times.
What To Say
When it comes to writing or reciting positive affirmations, you might not know quite where to start.
There are thousands of phrases you can use to improve your mood, including ones to get you out of a negative mindset or help look forward to the future.
You can even come up with your own that are unique and personalised to your needs or situations, providing an ever better source of motivation.
Here are just some examples that you might find beneficial:
- I feel clear, calm and confident leading up to these exams
- I pass exams easily
- I succeed in stressful situations
- I will stay focused on my studies
- I will pass my exams
- I will be relaxed during exams
- I will recall information quickly
- Good study habits are ingrained in me
The key is to be consistent and say them to yourself often, so keep reminding yourself of your abilities and encourage yourself to think positively.