New to Writing? Read these 17 Daily Affirmations to Avoid Self-Sabotage and Unlock Your Potential
Read this daily, especially when you feel like giving up…
I’ve written this primarily for writers, but if you are someone engaged in any creative endeavor, this might also work for you.
Let your ideal self speak to you when your mind starts undermining you.
1. Fear of Beginning
Mind: I don’t know where to start. I think I need to read more books and take more courses before starting.
Ideal Self: Learning is important, but at some point, I have to start applying what I know. I don’t need to know everything to begin. In fact, the best learning often happens through doing. I can start small, take one step at a time, and learn as I go. As cliché it may sound, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
2. Fear of Not Being Good Enough
Mind: Am I good enough to do this?
Ideal Self: It’s okay to have doubts. What’s not okay is believing that my limitations define my worth. I have unique experiences and insights and am willing to learn and evolve — this makes me good enough. I will prove to myself that I’m worthy by taking repeated action toward growth.
3. Impostor Syndrome
Mind: What made you credible? You’re not credible enough and yet here you are, pretending to be?
Ideal Self: I hear you, but let’s remember, credibility doesn’t magically appear one day. It builds over time through knowledge, experience, and continuous learning. I may not be the most credible now, but I am on a journey of growth. Instead of seeing myself as an impostor, I’ll view myself as a work-in-progress. Every step I take on this journey adds to my credibility.
4. Self-Doubt
Mind: Am I doing this right? I am not sure if this is the right way of writing my piece.
Ideal Self: There isn’t always a “right” or “wrong” way in creative endeavors. It’s more about finding my unique voice and style. I’ll seek out learning and feedback, but ultimately, I’ll trust my instincts and stay true to my vision.
5. Fear of Judgement
Mind: What will people think of my work? What if I get harsh criticisms?
Ideal Self: It’s normal to worry about others’ opinions, but I also know that I can’t control what other people think. What I can control is my work, my growth, and my response to feedback. My goal is to create work that I’m proud of and that reflects my authentic self. I am not here to please everyone — that’s impossible anyway! Thus, I will not react, but respond thoughtfully only when necessary. I’ll consider every feedback, good or bad, but I’ll take it with a grain of salt. Why? Because people’s judgments are colored by their biases and experiences which may not align with my vision or intention.
6. Fear of Conflict
Mind: What if someone disagrees with me?
Ideal Self: I’d be a fool to think that everyone will agree with me. Of course, some people won’t agree, and that’s okay! Disagreements can lead to constructive conversations and new insights. I’ll listen to differing viewpoints with an open mind and take them as opportunities to learn and grow.
7. Not Enjoying the Process
Mind: This is so hard. I don’t see any progress at all.
Ideal Self: It is supposed to be hard because every meaningful endeavor is hard. It is also supposed to be slow because success never happens overnight. Instead of focusing on the outcome, I will focus my energy on making even the tiniest of progress each day. I’ll embrace the process and keep in mind that “if it was easy, everyone would do it.
8. Dealing with Uncertainty
Mind: Am I really going to be successful? I should get a full-time job instead of pursuing being a writer.
Ideal Self: Success isn’t an endpoint, it’s a journey. Instead of worrying about when I’ll be successful, I’ll focus on the process and the growth it brings. My measure of success won’t be a particular moment in time, but the progress and learning I gain along the way.
9. Fear of AI Replacing Humans
Mind: What’s the point in learning how to actually write when there are several AI content writer apps that can write for me?
Ideal Self: Well, it’s true that AI has made significant strides in writing but remember that AI is programmed to mimic human creativity, not to experience it. As a human writer, I bring a depth of emotion, personal experiences, perspective, and nuanced understanding of language that an AI, despite its programming, cannot fully replicate. Plus, understanding the craft of writing will allow me to effectively guide and edit AI-created content, which will help ensure it maintains a human touch and resonates with my audience.
10. Fear of Visibility
Mind: I’ll only show myself to the world once I’m finally an expert in what I do. For now, I’ll work behind the scenes.
Ideal Self: By staying behind the scenes, I might be missing opportunities to learn from others and to let my unique voice be heard. It’s okay to be a work in progress and share my journey with the world. Improvement and expertise come with time and experience, including feedback from others.
11. Dealing with Overwhelm
Mind: There are so many things to learn! I can’t figure out what to prioritize today.
Ideal Self: Yes, there’s a lot to learn, but it doesn’t mean I need to know it all at once. I can prioritize based on what’s most relevant to my current project. If I learn one new thing each day, that’s progress. After all, it’s about progress, not perfection.
12. Struggling with Consistency
Mind: I’m feeling so lazy today. A lot of things happened today, I don’t think I can show up today.
Ideal Self: It’s okay to have off days. What matters is how I respond. Instead of giving in to laziness, I can do something small and manageable. Consistency isn’t about always being at peak performance, it’s about showing up, even in small ways, especially when it’s hardest. I will write just 250 words today and consider it a win!
13. Doubts About Impact
Mind: No one is reading my stuff, what’s the point of writing?
Ideal Self: It’s normal to feel disheartened, but remember that building an audience takes time. Each piece of content I write is an opportunity for someone to connect with my story. Even if it seems like no one is reading now, I’m developing my skills and finding my voice. The point is in the journey, not just the destination.
14. Fear of Outgrowing Your Work
Mind: Will I even like what I wrote a few years from today?
Ideal Self: My work reflects who I am at a certain point in time. As I grow and evolve, it’s natural that my past work might not always resonate with me. That’s not a sign of bad work but of personal growth. I’ll appreciate my past work for what it was and look forward to where my future growth will take me.
15. Fear of Making Mistakes
Mind: I don’t want to make mistakes, especially in the eyes of the public!
Ideal Self: I understand your fear. But remember, mistakes are not setbacks, they are stepping stones for learning and growth. Instead of fearing them, I can view them as opportunities for improvement. Each mistake is a lesson that brings me one step closer to my goals. Instead of avoiding mistakes, I’ll embrace them as part of my journey, knowing that they are making me better in the long run.
16. Comparing Yourself With Others
Mind: Look at them, they seem more successful than me. I feel like a loser.
Ideal Self: I understand where you’re coming from, Mind. But remember, life is not a race. It’s not about who gets to a certain point first, but rather, about the journey, the learnings, and the personal growth.
I recognize the accomplishments of others and can learn from them, but my journey is unique.
And my progress cannot be measured by someone else’s standards.
My value is not determined by how quickly I reach a milestone compared to others.
It’s defined by my efforts, my integrity, and my personal progress.
Rather than comparing, I will put my energy into pursuing my own goals at my own pace. I will redirect the energy I was using comparing myself with others, I will explore my own strengths and weaknesses. I will concentrate on developing my skills, nurturing my creativity, and continuing my own path of growth. Success is personal and individual, not comparative.
17. Regrets Over Past Mistakes
Mind: If only I had taken a different path… If only I acted sooner, I might be where I wanted to be by now.
Ideal Self: Regret is normal and it makes me human. While different choices might have made me more successful, they could also have led me somewhere worse.
I am forgiving myself for making mistakes. After all, they often teach me more than immediate successes. I can never change the past but I have control over my efforts and actions today.
