Affirmations

A dictionary defines the word ‘Affirmation’ as “the assertion that something exists or is true; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true.”

How I love this definition! It englobes the whole word in its magnificence. And take for example what you tell yourself. Are you constantly thinking you are a failure? That your work is meaningless? Well, that will be your truth, because you stated that affirmation, now it’s imprinted on your mind and what will come next is defeat. Do you understand?

What we tell our brains to believe about our jobs, about ourselves as individuals IS what we are going to project or attract. This is when the importance of changing the mindset comes. Take me as an example. There was a time in my life when I believed that every bad thing that happened around me was my fault because maybe I was wearing the wrong shirt, the wrong shoes, the wrong hairdo, or I tried something new. My mind made me restrain myself from doing things I loved, wearing certain clothes because I would cause a problem. I know it doesn’t make any sense, but back in the day EVERYTHING that I thought would happen because I broke my own rules happened. Well, things happened and my mind associated them with the negative thoughts and restrictions I’ve had set my brain on.

The thing is, what you state or assert in your mind, will be your truth. It can be used as a knife, in the kitchen as an essential instrument to prepare delicious dishes. Or you can kill yourself with it… end of the story.

Are you creative? A writer? A painter? A photographer? Whatever you are creating, just the simple act of affirming in your mind what you are and are meant to create will make a real difference. State that truth, engrave it on your brain so it would never fade, and say it with confidence. Your truth is your reality.

I don’t think I’m the best writer in the world. There are so many things I need to keep working on. But I’m not the worst either. Proof of it is the overwhelming amount of good reviews I receive when an unknown random person in the world reads my book. This gives me the pull I need. There is someone out there willing to read your words, buy your commissions, cheer you up, and buy you a coffee.

There is someone out there willing to read your words. They will see your art, and they are going to think is the most beautiful thing in the world. But the thing is, you stated in your mind you were bound to be good at what you do. You set that affirmation.

My intention with this post is to let you know you’re not alone. Even the greatest authors and artists throughout history have been rejected, some of them many times. I just want you to have a plan b. This shortlist of four tips has helped me, and I’m sure it could help you too.

1. Keep submitting. Yes. Never give up. Don’t close the doors yourself.

2. Re-read your work. Edit without mercy.

3. Send your work to review, not only to friends and family but also to your ‘ideal’ readers. Think about them, try to picture them in your mind. Remember the world is NOT your target. Instead, try to find those interested in your genre. You’ll be surprised.

4. Self-publish. Yes! Let yourself fall into the spiral of the unknown. As I said above, you will be surprised. You just have to step forward, be prepared and stay positive.

Yes, you can, and you will!