For too long, the fear of success paralyzed me more than the fear of failure. Could I handle the level of success that I was aiming for? Would people wrongly judge me for a materialistic, money-hungry snob if my bank account reached a certain amount? Should I minimize my goals to avoid being misunderstood? These thoughts and more swirled around in my head, limiting me from pursuing my passion and purpose. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. It’s been said that it’s the strongest muscle in the entire body, and while that’s debatable, there’s no question that it is quite a force to be reckoned with. In my early twenties, I really started working on watching the words that I spoke both out loud as well as in my head. What began as a challenging task became easier with time and practice. Sure, there are still days when I catch myself heading in a downward spiral, but daily affirmations help to keep my mindset on the up and up, even in the midst of seemingly insurmountable challenges. You will no doubt meet resistance when passionately pursuing your purpose, but there are tools that you can put into practice that will help you wade through the high waters.

One of the most powerful tools for growth mindset is affirmations. The key to staying consistent with speaking your affirmations is to have them in a place that you see every day. Mine are in my bathroom next to my mirror. Everyone will have affirmations that are unique to them and their goals, dreams, and desires. I am a person of faith, so mine are rooted in scriptures and principles that I know to be true and then branch out into additional goals for my personal life as well as business. They are all written in the present tense. Speak what you want, not what you have.

Another action step that has helped me through difficult times is gratitude journaling. I endeavor to find three things each day that I am grateful for. Some days, those can be really massive milestones and accomplishments, and other days it can be as simple as, I’m thankful I’m alive. Even on our darkest days, the sun will still rise, and there is always something for which to be grateful.

Please do not mistake me for some Pollyanna, everything-is-turning-up-roses kinda girl. Life is hard. We will all experience trauma in one way, shape, or form in our lifetime, and it is vital to process the grief and emotions that accompany that in a healthy way. Professional help is out there and can make a world of difference. There is no shame in seeking it when needed. Affirmations and gratitude journaling are simply tools that I have learned to use to prevent me from going in a downward spiral too rapidly. A combination of resources and tools help us to thrive despite the odds. Today is the day to stop sabotaging your success. Start with watching the words you speak. What you say to yourself matters.