I have been thinking about this post for a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnng ( long, long, like a year ) time.

For a while there, I didn’t know why I had to think for so damn long & then I kind of had an AHA! moment.

The reason this particular post required so much thought is because it’s something I do everyday that’s kind of er, maybe personal…& even a little weird? Also, it has a huge impact my business, friendships, relationships, & day to day life.

Basically it’s about a little thing called positive reinforcement.

Instead of looking for reinforcement from other people, I look for the positive reinforcement from within by surrounding myself with constant, daily reminders.

In a way, it might sound strange or maybe even stupid that I tell myself ‘keep going!’ ‘You can do it!’ Or that I straight up have cliché quotes hanging around TSC office to remind myself to ‘just do it!’ BUT. It works.

Listen- like I said, this is a personal thing that works well for me. It may not work for you, but I wanted to share a piece of something special that’s helped me ‘keep going’ in business/life.

Of course I really never realized the exact practice of positive affirmations until one random day, I just sort of did realize it, ya know? I was probably 19 years old. That sounds confusing? & maybe I’m not making any sense?…but practicing positive affirmations was something I always just kinda did unintentionally.

I remember being 9 or 10 & having tiny little stickers in hidden spots that said quotes like ‘you go, girl’ or ‘success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out”. And I remember having pictures of how I envisioned my dream room to look when I was 12 or 16, and having some serious quotes on the front of my binder with pictures of how I envisioned life after high school. Almost like a vision board, I guess.

I mean, I never realized that displaying certain words/pictures/etc. were to ultimately appease my subconscious & serve as motivational reminders when things got tough, boring, or when life didn’t go as planned.

( I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again: I’ve had some shit happen in my life. Some of the stories are not mine to tell & some are ones I prefer to keep personal, but the point is: having positive reminders around my house/workspace/bedroom have provided a sense of comfort & positivity ).

Are you lost yet? Hope not. Ok so, what is positive affirmation? What EXACTLY do I mean?

This is my definition ( feel free to form your own ): having positive reminders around everyday that help you to manifest & create a happy life.

This may mean quotes around your house, candles burning with comforting phrases, business cards proudly on display to remind you of your goals, a tiny locket with a little picture or word, a painting that represents something to you ( for instance if your goal is travel the world, maybe it’s a map ), an inspiring book that’s highlighted and bookmarked, &/or a phrase that you quietly repeat to yourself each morning during a yoga class.

My girlfriend, Erica bought me a notebook for my birthday that says: BUILDING THE SKINNY CONFIDENTIAL EMPIRE TODAY!

Every morning I wake up, go to my desk & there it sits. RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY FACE. Maybe I don’t acknowledge it every morning, but maybe I do?…subconsciously!

TSC bookmarks sit on my desk too. Why? So I can remember what I’m building.

Tiny positive life quotes are kept around my house. Some in secret spots. Some in open spots.

Each time I leave my house there’s a print that says HUSTLE ( remember this post? ). Reminding me & Michael to HUSTLE. Again, maybe we don’t acknowledge it…but we see it when we come home & when we leave. Every. Single. Day.

I blog, obviously. Sometimes I blog positive affirmations so it’s in front of an audience & it feels more real. Like this post about my wedding. It’s out in the open now, my measly list, but at least it’s a start you know? And sometimes I post inspiration on Instagram to share a specific quote that really resonated.

I EVEN WENT AS FAR TO HIDE ANYTHING NEGATIVE ON FACEBOOK & ONLY ‘LIKE’ THINGS THAT WERE POSITIVE, UPLIFTING, & MOTIVATING. ( Some of my ‘liked’ favorites are: chihuahuas/dogs, entrepreneurs, Business Insider, some cool bloggers, books I like, healthy food brands, my friend’s businesses, & Vogue magazine ).

I’ve been wanting to start my own foundation, so I made a little vision board & I keep it on display in TSC office.

Hell, even my iPhone notes have positive affirmations!! You’d find tons of quotes, sayings, reminders, etc.

Pretty much, I have positive intentions everywhere.

And I believe in it. It’s the power of positive thought, right.

Since I’ve been healing from a gnarly fucking surgery I’ve tried to put a lot of healing affirmations around the house. I have therapeutic essential oils burning, turmeric on hand, clean foods readily available, calming music, positive people, & happy reminders and books surrounding me.

I refuse to allow negativity in.

If this method is something you’re interested in exploring, I guess what I would suggest is to look around. What’s surrounding you? Are you surrounded by positive affirmations? If you’re trying to build a business, what’s your daily positive reinforcement? Is your vision laid out in front of you so you can see it? If you’re working on a relationship with a family member, friend, or boyfriend, are there little reminders around to remind you of what to work on? If you’re trying to adapt a healthier lifestyle, is that lifestyle the one that’s surrounding you? If you have a set goal, is there motivation around reminding you to stay focused?

A lot of you have asked me how I find motivation to blog everyday and a huge part comes from positive intention. And no one sets it for me. I do it for myself, a little everyday.

Do any of you guys do this? If so, what’s a positive affirmation that makes your day brighter & encourages you to attain your goals? As always, I would love to hear!

Happy Tuesday, x

– lauryn

{ TSC Book | notebook | gold pendant necklace | acrylic, gold stapler | bookmarks- email me }