Science Says You Should Fake It ‘Til You Make It
The next time you find yourself in a frenzy of self-doubt and stress, consider this: Science says that self-affirmations will help you perform better in the workplace.
“You should reflect on things that you know are good about yourself,” lead researcher Sonia Kang stated. “Anyone has the potential to do really well. It’s how you respond under pressure that makes a key difference.”
The art of self-affirmation was first popularized in the 1920s by French psychologist Emile Coué. Proponents of the act say that positivity, if repeated over time, reinforces a chemical pathway in the brain that makes the message stronger and more believable. The more a person self-affirms, the better the person’s self-esteem.
The findings also note that thinking about one’s family or other positive traits that are not associated with the job situation also may boost confidence.
“Any time you have low expectations for your performance, you tend to sink down and meet those low expectations,” Kang stated. “Self-affirmation is a way to neutralize that threat.”
So take note from Stuart Smalley, and start reminding yourself every single day that you’re good enough. You’re smart enough. And doggone it, people like you. And yeah, you’re a boss.
Do you do daily self affirmations? Share the effects in the comments below!
