If you’d told my teenage self in the early 1990s that I’d be practicing daily affirmations in 2025, I’d have laughed in your face. Back then, I only knew about affirmations thanks to Saturday Night Live’s Stuart Smalley, Al Franken’s character who looked in the mirror and declared: “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.”

But here I am, all grown up, a librarian in his late 40s, starting each morning by running through ten affirmations in my head. And guess what? They actually work.

This episode is part two of my three-part Morning Routine Series. Today I’m diving into my 10 daily affirmations. These are simple, repeatable statements that keep me present, grateful, accountable, and moving in the right direction.

Why affirmations matter:

• They’re a mindset tool, not magic. Think of them as mental reps, like lifting weights for your brain.
• They act as a decision-making filter, guiding your choices when challenges pop up.
• They’re an accountability anchor that keeps you aligned with your values and identity.

Here are some of mine:

• Do the best with what you have each day (progress > perfection)
• Be present (harder than it sounds in a distraction-filled world)
• Be grateful (gratitude helps fight negativity and cynicism)
• Be curious, not judgmental (thanks, Ted Lasso 🙌)
• Only focus on what you can control (less stress, more energy)
• Don’t be harder on yourself than you’d be on a loved one (self-compassion > self-criticism)
• Remind yourself of your desired identity every day (you get to choose who you’re becoming)

By the end of the episode, I’ll challenge you to try this: Pick one affirmation that resonates with you and repeat it daily for a week. Just one. Then see if anything changes in how you show up for yourself.

💡 Spoiler alert: It’s probably going to work better than you think.

Resources & Next Steps 👉 For more practical, no-nonsense health strategies for guys over 40, visit FITishAF.com to grab the free FIT(ish) AF Starter Kit and join the list for early access to the Quick Start Guide coming this fall.

📺 Want a laugh? Here’s the classic 1991 SNL sketch with Michael Jordan and Stuart Smalley that first introduced me to affirmations: Michael Jordan on SNL with Stuart Smalley