My Positivity Hack

We so often hear that you need to find the tools that work for you and not everything will so don't get discouraged...

As it turns out, I'm not really an auditory learner - while I love me some podcasts, usually when I'm listening to something without visual context, I have to write it down to really retain it.  So this whole notion of speaking out loud positive affirmations to reinforce them didn't personally help me. I beat myself up years ago trying to make this technique work and after numerous tries, in the end I realized a few tweaks and a slightly different approach worked for me.  

As a visual and kinetic learner - I love to read, look at charts and see visual representations of information.  I would much rather read or watch a video with a transcript than just listen to someone talk. I need to see the thing and I will often write down notes just so I can then see my notes on the paper. In fact, I remember the visual organization of my notes quicker (that photographic snapshot) more than I remember the actual words themselves.  

Recognizing that I wanted to play to my own strengths, I discovered Positivity Boards.... (think vision board but with the focus of the board on positive and encouraging statements.   

It turns out I found my own hack and it's powerful so I thought I would share it with you. 

I start by paying attention to areas that I want to grow in and then looking for reinforcements in my environment; online and in person. If it feels right to me or is an area that I want to grow more in, I'll take a snapshot of it with my phone, print it out or write it down. I spend time looking for memes, quotes and positive affirmations that speak to me and then I select the ones that align with how I want to feel and be when I'm being my best self.

All of these go up on a cork board in a way that is visually appealing to me. I created this positivity board and I hung it right above my desk, at eye level so it's front and center in my daily space. 

What's so different about this and why does this work for me? Because I literally look at this board hundreds of times a day - and every time I do, I read these positive statements silently to myself. Over the last year, I've read each one hundreds of times and I know without a doubt that this positive reinforcement has had a big impact on my mindset.  When I find myself doubting myself or questioning something, without even thinking about it, I quiet my inner critic with things from my board. It's a way to re-program that little snarky voice in your head that always likes to doubt you.  

If you are more of a visual learner like me, I encourage you to try creating your own board and put it someplace where you will look at it multiple times a day - no need to say it out loud - just read it regularly and watch the positive impact flourish. 

Here's a list of ideas to put on your own board to get you started..

• It's ok to be nervous but it won't stop me  
• Done is better than perfect
• When you invest in yourself, the universe invests in you
• Your future depends upon what you do today
• I am worthy of being in the room and at the table. My voice and ideas are valuable 
• Old ways won't open new doors 
• Easy? Nope. Worth it? Absolutely 
• Love yourself first, and everything else will fall into place
• Time is precious, waste it wisely
• Everything always works out for me (this one is courtesy of my husband who has made this our mantra for many years)

If you liked this idea share it with someone else who might also like it.

-Heather