Success as a writer comes down to a wide range of different factors. Of course, the most important thing is consistent practice. The more time you’ve spent writing, the easier it will be in the future. But beyond that level of consistent practice that leads to skill, there are many other factors at play that determine if any given writing session is a success or not.
Perhaps the most important determinant of writing success that’s in our direct control is the mental beliefs we hold about ourselves as writers. For example, if you believe that your word count goal is achievable, you will find it so. Of course, the opposite is also true. If you tell yourself you’re not capable of achieving something, your brain and body will reflect that belief.
Affirmations for writers are one of the most powerful weapons in your arsenal to ensure you experience writing success. Read on to discover exactly what affirmations are, why they help, how to use them, and a list of tried and tested writing affirmations you can use.
- What are affirmations for writers?
- What are the benefits of using affirmations?
- When should writers use affirmations?
- List of powerful affirmations for writers
What are affirmations for writers?
An affirmation is simply a sentence reflecting a belief that is usually read out loud. The theory behind this is that by repeating a positive statement repeatedly, you eventually lead your subconscious to take the idea on board. This may sound a little out there, but it’s a technique that some of the most successful people in the world swear by.
Let’s consider an example to clarify the concept. Let’s say that every morning, while looking in the mirror, you tell yourself out loud “I am a skillful writer.” This is an example of an affirmation. The theory goes that as you repeat the affirmation over and over, it sinks into the depths of your subconscious and you end up acting as a successful writer.
What are the benefits of using affirmations?
There are a number of different benefits to affirmations for writers. Let’s consider some of the main ones here. Of course, you will only experience the benefits of affirmations if you practice them consistently. It’s a little like going to the gym. You will only see increases in strength and stamina if you make exercise a consistent part of your routine. Going once or twice won’t lead to any noticeable benefits.
- Adopting helpful beliefs about your identity as a writer
- Setting the tone for your day with positive beliefs
- Countering any self-doubt you feel as a writer
- Offsetting any negative messages about your writing work you soak in from your peer group or society at large
- An effective remedy to imposter syndrome
- A way to smash through writer’s block
- A means of gaining the stamina to continue a writing project and see it through to the end even when it isn’t easy to do so
Of course, these are simply the benefits of affirmations for writers in general. To see how they benefit your writing life in particular, you need to try them consistently for yourself and be mindful of any benefits you experience.
To help you do exactly that, let’s take a hands-on look at how to use affirmations from a writer’s perspective.
When should writers use affirmations?
A lot of writers find they get the maximum benefit from affirmations when they are worked into part of an existing morning routine. So, for example, if you already get up before writing in order to meditate and drink a cup of coffee, you can allocate a bit of extra time to fit some affirmations in as well.
If you don’t already have a morning routine, you can carry out affirmations as a standalone activity. Many writers find the affirmations are most powerful when speaking them out loud, while making eye contact with themselves in the mirror. Therefore, you could do your affirmations around the same time you brush your teeth, or before or after shaving, seeing as you’re already standing at the mirror.
If you want to make the absolute most of affirmations, consider using them as part of a stack of morning routine activities. One such example is the Miracle Morning routine by Hal Elrod. Elrod makes affirmations a key part of his morning routine, along with other activities like reading and exercise. If you have the time and inclination to do so, consider adopting the Miracle Morning or something similar as it will cover affirmations for you.
Finally, some writers like to use affirmations to bookmark their entire day, reading them in both the morning and evening. This ensures that their subconscious is being intentionally influenced at both the start and end of each day. If this sounds appealing to you, consider stating your affirmations out loud as the first thing you do each morning and the last thing you do before retiring to bed in the evening.
List of powerful affirmations for writers
Now that you know what affirmations are, the benefits of using them, and some practical tips on how to incorporate them into your own life, let’s look at a list of sample affirmations.
It’s important to note that these can be customized. You can modify them to fit either the tone or content of your own writing practice and goals. For example, if you write in a specific style or genre, you can modify the affirmations to reflect that.
To help you get started using affirmations as a writer, check out this list as a helpful starting point:
- At my deepest core, I am a writer
- I serve the world by choosing to write
- Everything in my life has led me to be a writer
- Spending time writing is the best possible use of my time
- The words I write have the potential to change lives
- There are people whose lives will be made far better if I write and publish this book
- By writing, I give other people permission to shine and express themselves
- My nature is creative and writing is my way of honoring who I truly am
- When I choose to create through writing, that is a beautiful act in itself
- The world needs more writing, and I am the perfect person to provide it
- I have a unique voice that the world wants to hear
- No one is capable of writing the same things as me
- Writing is its own reward
- There is no such thing as failure as a writer, only feedback
- I will feel amazing when I hit my writing goals today
- Nothing worth doing comes easy, I will choose to progress regardless
- By writing, I am fulfilling the potential the universe recognizes in me
- I deserve to be a writer
- Writing is a talent I am blessed with
- I am capable of any type of writing I set my mind to
- There is no limit to my imagination or my creativity
- I will always grow and progress as a writer no matter what
- Good writing has changed my life and my writing will have the same impact
- My writing will outlast me and make the world a better place for centuries to come
- Writing is the most joyful act of play available to me
- When I write, I am expressing pure love into the world
- I have to write just as I have to breathe
Depending on your personality type, you might want to make the affirmations you use more or less straightforward. For example, if you’re quite rational, you might tone down the more spiritual affirmations and replace them with something like “I will write x number of words today” or something else quite matter of fact.
The entire point of affirmations is to find what works for you and stick with it. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun. Be mindful of how you feel and what seems to be working.
Next Steps
Why not make a commitment to choosing at least 3 writing affirmations you feel serve you and committing to reading them out loud a minimum of 20 times each at the start of the day? Do that for a month and see how your writing improves.
Who knows, you might have just unlocked the secret to achieving new and unmatched levels of writing success. Surely that’s something to be excited about, right?!
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