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Nina Durfee
Nina Durfee
Life Coach/Meditation Instructor
Sammamish, Washington
Articles » Professional development »
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I Think, Therefore I Can - Affirmations for Entrepreneurial Success

Can positive thinking really help grow your business? Read on to demystify the affirmation process and create your own powerful business boost.
Written Jul 24, 2008, read 313 times since then.

 

When I first heard the concept of affirmations, I thought, “Yeah, right.” Saying an affirmation aloud was calling black “white.” I felt like an ostrich with my head in the sand. How can saying something that is blatantly false make it so?

For the record, an affirmation is a first-person, present-tense statement designed to shift a habit of thought. Affirmations, I thought, were an invitation to la-la land. On the other hand, the old way wasn’t serving me well. What did I have to lose? Maybe a trip to la-la land was in order. I gave it a try, and I learned a few things along the way. Here’s my take, for what it’s worth.

THE ART

Critical elements of successful affirmations include identification of current habitual thoughts or beliefs that you want to change, and formulation of a counter statement that is workable or realistic.

Step 1. Acknowledge prior assumptions. Some common beliefs of small business owners include: “Owning my own business is exhausting” or “Business takes away from family time.”

Step 2. Create a counter statement that you would like to be true. For instance: “Owning my own business is energizing” or “I enjoy delightful balance between my business and personal life.”

THE SCIENCE

Science is about measurement of results and depends heavily on the yardstick against which you measure. Crafting a statement that is so far beyond what you hold as “realistic” will only dig you into a deeper funk about your current situation.

Step 1. Break it down. Getting to New York from L.A. is achievable, but one does well to anticipate (and appreciate) the stopover in Chicago. Craft your affirmation so that Chicago is part of the plan, and you’ll feel greater satisfaction and success along the way.

Step 2. Find value in each leg of the trip. Recognition and acknowledgment of progress enhance the experience. Where you focus attention determines how much you enjoy the ride. Bask a little in the interesting and beautiful Chicago moments before barreling ahead to the final destination.

For someone whose business causes financial anxiety and loss of sleep, a statement like, “My business brings ecstasy and joy” is too much of a stretch. An easier thought is, “I’m open to creative, lucrative solutions.”

WHAT AFFIRMATIONS ARE RIGHT FOR ME?

Once you’ve crafted your statements, print them out and put them where you can see them. Read them, think them, repeat them out loud. Imagine the feeling inherent in the fruition of the statement.

Notice what happens – in your body, in your mind, and in your environment. What relaxes? What opportunities appear? What circumstances change?

If your affirmations evoke even a bit of relief, you’re on the right track. If they give you a headache or make you irritated, revise them. Make them more real for you. You’re in charge!

GRATITUDE PROPELS

Honest appreciation for any aspect of the current situation elevates the level of satisfaction. Acknowledgment of what is good and enjoyable attracts more of the same. Identify one positive, successful element of your business for which you are thankful. Maybe it’s your level of skill, your one terrific, satisfied client, or your partnership with a wise mentor.

Express thanks often: offer a smile, say thank you, send a card, keep a journal. Gratitude perpetuates the process of joy, productivity and success.

Be easy with it, and have fun in the process!

10 SAMPLE AFFIRMATIONS FOR THE WORRIED ENTREPRENEUR

1.    I am a magnet for ideal clients.
2.    I speak with ease and confidence.
3.    I thrive on productivity.
4.    I am open to new learning.
5.    I act with focus and purpose.
6.    I love what I do.
7.    All my business relationships are harmonious and fun.
8.    My lifework is fulfilling and lucrative.
9.    I am an expert in my field.
10.  I’m a creative problem solver.

Learn more about the author, Nina Durfee.

Comment on this article

  • Jennifer Manlowe
    Posted by Jennifer Manlowe, Bainbridge Island, Washington | Jul 26, 2008

    Hi Nina,

    I appreciate your take on "keeping affirmations realizable" or you'll set up a whiplash. When I try to shellac poop, it's no more easy to live with than before. And, if I say the opposite of what I'm truly feeling, it boomerangs and doubles the despairing emotion.

    I have a few other ways I add to what you've mentioned here.

    One, I work very hard to feel the feelings I am having and not bypass them with a rosy thought about them, you know? i.e., "Frowns are just smiles turned upside down!" bleeach!

    Here's what I say:

    I'm feeling tense and I'm so glad that this changes when I breathe. I don't feel hungry when I'm meeting new clients so I'll just order tea. I'm to tired to be productive anymore today; it helps to sleep to retrieve my focus and energy. My back is bothering me, I'll do some stretches rather than try to burn the midnight oil. My work always gets done when I nurture it like a garden -- it can't be forced to flourish. Speaking to it helps but it's not the only action I need to take.

    Two, I always put my wishes in the form of the present like:

    I'm loving meeting new people at BizJam (when I'm feeling nervous) and my stomach's a jumble with excitement. I'm so enjoying doubling my income each quarter, it's amazing how well it works to have aspirations for my business. I love rest and renewal and give to myself easily because I know what energizes. People keep telling me I'm a better listener and am more clear with my needs and wishes. I am so psyched to be making some progress in little ways everyday.

    When I'm on a walk saying things like the above, I find my body soaks it up and remembers. Eventually, I actually feel grateful because I've dialed down the anxiety. I'm starting to actually see true gratitude emerge.

    Jennifer Manlowe, Career Counselor & Book Coach
  • Sandra Jones
    Posted by Sandra Jones, Bellevue, Washington | Jul 26, 2008

    Nina,

    Excellent article. Readable, gettable, and as you and Jennifer suggest affirmations may not be a slam dunk. Crafting them and using them is a process to be cultivated. So, the garden metaphor works for me.

    Speaking of gardens we are, indeed, replacing plants, in our personal and business gardens, that don't work for us with flourishing ones. One of the tools for doing so is affirmations. When I see that flourishing garden in my mind's eye, my energy goes up!

    So, I suggest the following additions when using affirmations:

    • Keep them simple so that they can be remembered and used.

    • In creating and using an affirmation couple it with an image that reinforces the same viseral feeling that you want to have as a result of realizing your affirmation.

    • Yes, as Jennifer suggests, get your body into it. The rhythm that you expereince when walking at a pleasing pace can ground and reinforce the power of of the affirmation. which you are saying.

    Those out there grounded in NLP it would be great to hear from you on this topic.

    Thanks again, Nina, for the honest reflection on affirmations. May the discussion continue!

  • Nina Durfee
    Posted by Nina Durfee, Sammamish, Washington | Jul 26, 2008

    Jennifer and Sandra, thank you for good insights. You each "affirm" my message in different ways.

    Jennifer, your method of countering what you don't want with an affirmation of what you do want, and maybe even what you feel already to some degree, is exactly in alignment with my experience of how this process works.

    Sandra, I agree that keeping it short and simple makes it easier to carry with you, like a wallet instead of a heavy bag. (How's that for coupling it with an image!)

    I enjoy receiving productive feedback to my thoughts. Thank you very much!

    Nina

  • Fran Fisher
    Posted by Fran Fisher, Bellevue, Washington | Jul 27, 2008

    Nina, this is such a practical approach to affirmations - utilizing our creative mental capacities in a productive way, like a servant versus a master. Thanks!

  • Nina Durfee
    Posted by Nina Durfee, Sammamish, Washington | Jul 28, 2008

    Fran, I always appreciate your insights -- awakening me to a space I hadn't even contemplated. Thank you so much.

    Nina

  • Wendy Percoulis
    Posted by Wendy Percoulis, Madison, Connecticut | Jul 29, 2008

    Nina, Your affirmations spoke to me today - was just what I needed to help me get re-energized today. I've used affirmations in the past & they've been very helpful to remind me of my goals.

    Thanks for sharing!

  • Nina Durfee
    Posted by Nina Durfee, Sammamish, Washington | Jul 29, 2008

    You are welcome, Wendy. As a life coach, I enjoy helping others to craft affirmations and discover solutions that work for them.

    Be well!

    N

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Article tags

  • business growth
  • success
  • ease
  • affirmation
  • power

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