Daily Affirmations – not actually woo…

Author: Annie Page

May 28, 2025

“Be careful how you talk to yourself as you are always listening.”

If you’re thinking that daily affirmations are a bit ‘woo’ or pseudoscience, then read on. They are powerful tools rooted in psychology and neurology.

At their core, affirmations are positive statements designed to challenge and overcome negative or self-sabotaging thoughts. By repeating affirmations regularly, you can rewire your subconscious mind, which can foster a more positive outlook and empower your beliefs about you and your abilities.

So here’s a bit of the science (just to prove it’s not all ‘woo’). The effectiveness of affirmations lies in their ability to influence the reticular activating system (RAS) in our brains. This system acts as a filter, determining what information gets processed by our conscious minds. When we consistently affirm positive beliefs, our RAS starts to prioritise thoughts and experiences that align with those beliefs, effectively shaping our perception of reality – how cool is that!

Affirmations are widely used by those in sport to enhance performance and maintain focus. Athletes often face intense pressure and self-doubt, making mental resilience as crucial as physical prowess. By incorporating affirmations into their training routines, athletes can bolster their confidence, overcome setbacks, and visualise success. For instance, a runner might repeat affirmations like “I am strong and resilient” or “I am capable of achieving my goals” to maintain motivation during tough times in training or races.

In business, the benefits of incorporating affirmations are equally useful. As we navigate our way through, self-belief and a positive mindset are indispensable assets. By starting each day with affirmations tailored to our goals and aspirations, we can cultivate the resilience and confidence needed to tackle obstacles head-on. Affirmations such as “I am capable of overcoming any challenge” or “I attract success and abundance” can instill a sense of purpose and drive, propelling us towards our objectives with clarity and determination.

Hold on though, it’s not just affirmations that can help us – they are one piece of the puzzle and can be used really well with visualisations, which is another powerful technique employed by athletes and business leaders alike, this complements affirmations by providing a vivid mental rehearsal of your desired outcomes. By vividly imagining ourselves achieving our goals, we can enhance our motivation, reinforce positive beliefs, and sharpen our focus.

Going back to sports, visualisation techniques are commonly used to improve performance and optimise skill development. Athletes visualise themselves executing flawless routines, scoring winning points, or crossing the finish line first, effectively priming their minds and bodies for success. Similarly, in business, visualisation can be a potent tool for clarifying objectives, refining strategies, and maintaining momentum amidst uncertainty.

To harness the full potential of affirmations and visualisation in business, individuals can integrate these practices into their daily routines. Begin each day with affirmations that resonate with your goals and values, affirming your abilities and reinforcing a growth mindset. Throughout the day, take moments to visualise yourself achieving your objectives with clarity and confidence, leveraging the power of mental rehearsal to stay focused and motivated.

By combining affirmations and visualisation with deliberate action and strategic planning, we can cultivate a mindset of success that transcends obstacles and propels us towards our aspirations. In doing so, we not only harness the transformative power of our minds but also unleash our full potential to thrive in both sports and business arenas alike.

If you want to find out more about how working with me will mean you are investing in yourself and your business then hit contact me here or book a 30 minute Introductory Call with me here