31 Daily Affirmations for Professionals

Do you believe that you are what you think?  Do you talk to yourself or write things to improve yourself and think more positively?  We cannot rely entirely on thoughts or words but to constantly review these in the form of affirmations can create possibilities.  You begin to believe the words and put them into action.  We manifest our dreams and ambitions to make our words become reality.  

Affirmations are like exercise for our brains.

According to the article Self-Affirmation Improves Problem-Solving under Stress, a study revealed that self-affirmation improved problem-solving performance in chronically stressed participants.  Affirmations raise the level of feel-good hormones to relieve stress and improve problem-solving abilities.

I am determined to break the pattern of negative thought.  The constant self-criticism associated with an overachiever where nothing is good enough.  I have come up with 31 self-affirmations for the professional to repeat as often as necessary until the negative speech becomes a positive speech and in turn, positive actions.  I want to turn the words “I can’t” into “I can” and use the positive energy to my benefit.

The following are daily affirmations for 31 days of a month.  You can read them all at once or read one every day.  The important thing is repetitiveness.  You want them embedded to change your thoughts.  I use Post-it notes on my mirror.

1. I have energy and am highly motivated.
2. My body is healthy, and my mind is brilliant.
3. I am superior to negative thoughts and low actions.
4. I have been given endless talents and will utilize today.
5. I forgive those who have harmed me in my past.
6. I have compassion and love for my fellow human being.
7. I am guided in my every step toward what I must do.
8. I possess the qualities needed to be extremely successful.
9. My business is growing, expanding, and thriving.
10. Creative energy surges through me and leads me to new and brilliant ideas.
11. Happiness is a choice. I am happy.
12. My ability to conquer my challenges is finite; my potential to succeed is infinite.
13. I deserve to be paid well for my time, efforts, and ideas. 
14. I am courageous, confident, and I stand up for myself.
15. I set standards for myself and utilize firm boundaries.
16. My thoughts are filled with positivity and my life is prosperous.
17. Today, I abandon my old habits and take up new, more positive ones.
18. Many people look up to me and recognize my worth; I am admired.
19. I am blessed with an incredible family and wonderful friends.
20. I acknowledge my own self-worth; my confidence is soaring.
21. Everything that is happening now is happening for my ultimate good.
22. I am a powerhouse; I am indestructible.
23. Though these times are difficult, they are only a short phase of life.
24. My future is an ideal projection of what I dream of.
25. My dreams manifest into reality before my eyes.
26. I radiate beauty, charm, and grace.
27. Obstacles will be moved out of my path to experience greatness.
28. I wake up today with strength in my heart and clarity in my mind.
29. My fears of tomorrow are simply melting away.
30. I am at peace with all that has happened, is happening, and will happen.
31. My life is just beginning.

Repeating affirmations can turn thoughts into action.  Changing your thought process is the easiest and most efficient way to self-improvement.

Why start a government contracting business?

I have owned DynaGrace Enterprises, a Woman-owned Small Business (WOSB) and 8(a) firm for almost a decade.  So why did I start a government contracting business?  The answer is quite simple.  I was younger and dumber and wanted to see if I could.  I did not know what I should have known when I started.  Maybe this article can give you some insight and help you determine if it was the good idea you thought it was. 

There are several types of government contractors, and the one I am most familiar with provides services to the federal government.  The manufacturing part and being able to offer a product to the government might be better for you, but I am not as familiar with that type.

Federal government contracting can be a way to start a small business.  The market is worth over $100 billion in sales to small businesses each year.  Providing services or products to the government is quite different than selling to the commercial sector.

Government contracts can guarantee ongoing revenue to your business. A stable cash flow enables a business to develop marketing budgets, hire staff and grow their business intelligently. Reoccurring monthly business generated from government contracts can also hedge against months that are slow. In fact, many contracts have 3-5 continuous year contract terms.  Keep in mind though it can take 30 to 90 days to get paid.  But once the payments start you are usually fine.

The procurement process for a government contract is extensive.  You can speed up this process by marketing to government customers that have a budget.  That can be like finding a needle in the haystack.  The government goes through cycles for services.  Sometimes they ramp up contractors and some years they ramp up on civilian employees. 

You should be prepared for long hours when responding to solicitations.  The last couple I have lost to very low bidders.  I am not sure how they expect to give any benefits to their employees, but the government will get what they bid for, hence the term, “low bidder”.  It is like buying the cheapest vehicle and realizing the plastic cracks in the sun after a month of owning it.  I refuse to win a bid on the backs of my employees so the contract goes to a company that will.

The good part is I have some fantastic employees, and I have met some wonderful business people who are involved in government contracting.  I started out as a civilian employee way back when and then worked for about four contractors before starting my own small contracting business.  Having a small budget or lack of budget is a huge problem.  The government employees in charge of budgets are usually friendly and appreciate the services we have to offer. 

I would never even have thought about having my own business, and this opportunity has given me the experience and the pleasure of being an entrepreneur.  It is an excellent way to get started and the SBA offers some training but expect to learn a lot on your own and with the help of mentors.

Perspective, Heart and Transition

Step back in perspective, open your heart and welcome transition into a new phase of life. ~Linda Rawson

Stepping back in perspective

My perspective in life has focused on finding somebody to share my life with, a life companion, if you will.  The reality is I have lots of life companions.  I have loved, been loved and am never truly alone.  In the last month, I have had contact with many pages of my past that I thought were long gone including a very painful passing of a past love.  Some I find delightful and others I wish never to contact me again.  It seems the bottom feeders are out in full force while I am coming to the top for air and food.

Opening my heart

I am opening my heart to positive, like-minded, people.  I refuse to let toxic people into my life and have set boundaries.  By closing the pages of my past that don't benefit me, I can find peace and open my heart to meaningful relationships.

Welcoming transition

My approach to work and my environment is shifting with a new approach. I used to be a strong workhorse that never stopped until the job was done at any sacrifice.  I am switching to a smooth operator and working smart.  Realizing personal relationships don't always last a lifetime and making the most of family and friends.  Change is good and offers the ability to bring new in.