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Lyrics & Translation

[English]

[Music]

Hello everyone. Welcome back to another

episode of the English Dialogue Podcast.

I'm Mike here with my amazing co-host

Emma and today we're talking about the

power of positive affirmations.

>> Hi everyone, thanks for joining us.

Positive affirmations might sound like a

trendy buzzword, but they've actually

been around in various forms for

centuries. Think about mantras or

motivational quotes. We're going to

explore why they work and how to use

them in daily life.

>> Exactly. Before we dive in, let's define

what we mean by positive affirmations.

Essentially, they're short, uplifting

statements that you repeat to yourself

to foster a certain mindset or attitude.

For example, I am confident or I trust

myself to make good decisions.

>> Right? The idea is that our thoughts

shape our beliefs and our beliefs

influence our behavior. If we're

constantly thinking negatively, we

reinforce self-doubt. But if we

consciously replace those thoughts with

positive ones, we begin to shift our

mindset.

>> It might sound a bit simplistic at

first, just telling yourself something

good. But there's a psychological basis

behind it. Studies on selft talk show

that the way we speak to ourselves can

affect our stress levels, motivation,

and overall mental health. Yes. And

let's be clear, affirmations aren't

magic spells. They won't solve every

problem instantly, but they can rewire

your thinking patterns over time if

you're consistent.

Emma, do you use positive affirmations

in your life or do you know anyone who

does?

>> I do actually. I started a few years ago

when I realized I was being really hard

on myself. I'd catch that inner critic

saying things like, "You're not good

enough or you'll never figure this out."

So, I began writing a few affirmations

on sticky notes, simple ones like,

"I learn from every challenge." or I am

worthy of success. I put them on my

mirror and repeated them daily.

>> That's awesome. Did you notice any

changes?

>> Definitely. Over time, I felt less

anxious about trying new things. My

mindset shifted from I can't to

give it my best shot. It didn't cure all

my worries, but it helped me approach

problems with more confidence.

>> That's a great example for me. I started

using affirmations to tackle

procrastination.

I'd say things like, "I have the

discipline to start now," or, "Small

actions lead to big results." Repeating

these statements helped me break tasks

down more easily. That's a clever way to

use them, and it highlights something

important. Affirmations should be

relevant to the specific areas where we

want to improve or feel more confident.

They're not one sizefits-all.

>> Exactly. So let's talk about why

affirmations can be powerful. One reason

is the concept of neuroplasticity.

Our brains are always forming new neural

pathways based on our experiences and

thoughts. If we repeatedly send

ourselves positive messages, we

strengthen neural networks that support

optimism.

>> Right? It's like we're training our

brains. Just like practicing a musical

instrument, practicing certain thoughts

makes them more automatic. Eventually,

they become our default way of thinking.

>> However, some critics argue that if an

affirmation feels too unrealistic, like

saying, "I am a millionaire when you're

broke," it can backfire. It might make

you feel worse, because your reality is

so far from the statement.

>> Yes, that's a valid point. Affirmations

should feel plausible or at least be

framed in a way that doesn't trigger

disbelief. Instead of I am a

millionaire, you might say, "I am

working toward financial stability." Or,

"I am learning to manage my finances

wisely."

>> Right? That way, the affirmation aligns

with your goals, but doesn't cause you

to roll your eyes when you say it. It's

all about striking a balance between

positivity and credibility.

Exactly. Another tip is to phrase

affirmations in the present tense like I

am confident rather than I will be

confident. Using present tense can help

you embody that feeling right now rather

than postponing it to the future.

>> Yes, that subtle change can make a big

difference. Now let's discuss how to

actually incorporate affirmations into

daily life. We mentioned sticky notes on

the mirror. Any other ideas, Emma? Sure,

some people use phone reminders. They

set alarms throughout the day with an

affirmation that pops up on their

screen. Others might write in a journal

every morning or record voice memos to

listen to during commutes. It's about

repetition and convenience.

>> I love the idea of phone reminders. It's

such a simple way to weave affirmations

into your routine. Also, pairing

affirmations with a daily habit like

saying them before brushing your teeth

helps you stay consistent.

>> Yes, exactly. Consistency is key. If you

only say affirmations once a month, you

won't see much of a shift. But doing it

daily or even multiple times a day can

gradually reshape your mindset.

>> Let's not forget that affirmations can

go beyond personal development. They can

help in relationships or team settings.

For example, managers might lead team

meetings with affirmations like we

collaborate effectively and respect each

other's ideas.

>> That's a great point. Or parents can use

affirmations with their children like

you are capable of learning new things

or your feelings are valid. It sets a

positive tone in the household.

>> Yes. And it also teaches kids the value

of positive self-t talk from an early

age. Now we should address some

pitfalls. One is toxic positivity where

you ignore all negative emotions and try

to be positive 24/7.

>> Right? That's not healthy. Affirmations

are about constructive self-t talk, not

denying challenges. It's okay to feel

sad, angry, or disappointed.

Affirmations help you move forward, but

they shouldn't invalidate real emotions.

>> Absolutely. You can acknowledge your

struggles while still affirming your

ability to cope or learn from them.

Something like, "I am feeling anxious

and I have the strength to work through

this."

>> Exactly.

Another pitfall is expecting instant

results. As we said, it takes time for

new thought patterns to become habitual.

>> Yes. It's more of a gradual process.

Some days you might feel like

affirmations are silly or useless, but

if you stick with them, you often see

subtle shifts over weeks or months.

>> And that's part of the journey. Even if

you're skeptical, a mild improvement in

self-confidence or outlook might be the

first sign. Little by little, you build

a stronger, more positive internal

dialogue.

Let's offer a few sample affirmations

that people might find helpful. How

about, I am worthy of success. My

mistakes help me grow. I choose

gratitude today or I am enough just as I

am.

>> Those are great. I'd add, I trust my

ability to handle life's challenges. I

deserve happiness and peace, and I am

capable of creating positive change.

These are open-ended but powerful.

Fantastic. Listeners can choose

whichever resonates with them or tailor

these statements to their personal

situations. The key is to find

affirmations that feel both inspiring

and believable.

>> Yes. And once you settle on a few,

repeat them daily. Say them out loud,

write them down, or even record yourself

reciting them. The more senses you

involve, the stronger the effect can be.

>> Good point.

Also be mindful of the tone in which you

say them. If you're just going through

the motions, you might not feel much

difference, but if you can inject

genuine emotion or even excitement, it

amplifies the impact.

>> Totally. The energy behind the words

matters. If you can visualize yourself

embodying the affirmation,

imagine what it feels like to be that

confident, peaceful, or motivated

version of yourself.

Yes, visualization paired with

affirmations is a powerful combo. Some

athletes use this technique affirming

their ability to perform while

visualizing themselves winning or

hitting a goal.

>> So true. It's a mental rehearsal that

preps both your mind and body for

success. And it's not just for sports.

It can apply to public speaking, job

interviews, or even social situations.

>> We've covered a lot. the definition of

affirmations, why they work, how to use

them, and common pitfalls. Emma, any

final thoughts?

>> Just that people shouldn't underestimate

the power of steady, positive self-t

talk. It might feel awkward at first,

but it can gradually transform how you

see yourself and your capabilities.

>> Well said. Positive affirmations are

like watering a plant. Small efforts

repeated over time lead to growth. If

you're listening and haven't tried them,

give it a shot for a few weeks and see

what happens.

>> Exactly. And don't forget to share your

experiences with friends or family. You

might encourage someone else to start

their own positive affirmation journey.

>> That's all for today's episode of the

English Dialogue Podcast. We hope you

found this discussion on the power of

positive affirmations inspiring and

useful.

Thanks for joining us. If you enjoyed

this episode, please share it with

someone who could use a little

positivity.

Until next time, I'm Emma

>> and I'm Mike.

[Music]

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
affirmations /ˌæfɜːrˈmeɪʃənz/ B2	noun - positive statements repeated to oneself to encourage confidence or a positive mindset
positive /ˈpɒzətɪv/ A2	adjective - optimistic or constructive
mindset /ˈmaɪndset/ B1	noun - a set of attitudes or beliefs
confidence /ˈkɒnfɪdəns/ B1	noun - a feeling of self-assurance
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A2	verb - to make or become different noun - the act or result of becoming different
thoughts /θɔːts/ A1	noun - ideas or opinions
reinforce /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrs/ B2	verb - to strengthen or support
shift /ʃɪft/ B1	verb - to change position or direction noun - a change or movement
affect /əˈfɛkt/ B1	verb - to influence or cause a change
neuroplasticity /ˌnjʊərəʊplæsˈtɪsəti/ C1	noun - the brain's ability to reorganize itself
visualize /ˈvɪʒuəlaɪz/ B2	verb - to form a mental image
consistency /kənˈsɪstənsi/ B2	noun - the quality of being reliable and unchanging
gratitude /ˈɡrætɪtjuːd/ B2	noun - the quality of being thankful
toxic /ˈtɒksɪk/ B2	adjective - poisonous or harmful
emotional /ɪˈməʊʃənəl/ B1	adjective - relating to emotions
gradual /ˈɡrædʒuəl/ B2	adjective - happening slowly over time
capable /ˈkeɪpəbl/ B1	adjective - having the ability or power to do something

Key Grammar Structures

• Positive affirmations might sound like a trendy buzzword, but they've actually been around in various forms for centuries.

  ➔ Modal verbs (might), Past Perfect (have been)

  ➔ "Might" expresses possibility. "They've been" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance now.

• If we're constantly thinking negatively, we reinforce self-doubt.

  ➔ First Conditional (If + present simple, present simple), Gerunds (thinking)

  ➔ The 'if' clause sets a condition. The main clause describes the result. "Thinking" functions as a noun.

• It might sound a bit simplistic at first, just telling yourself something good.

  ➔ Modal verb (might), Gerund as subject (telling)

  ➔ "Might" indicates possibility. "Telling" acts as the subject of the sentence, describing the action.

• They won't solve every problem instantly, but they can rewire your thinking patterns over time if you're consistent.

  ➔ Future with 'will' (won't), Conditional (can), Adverbial clause of time (over time), Conditional sentence (if you're consistent)

  ➔ The sentence contrasts what affirmations *cannot* do with what they *can* do. The 'if' clause specifies the condition for rewiring thought patterns.

• I started using affirmations to tackle procrastination.

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose (to tackle)

  ➔ "To tackle" explains *why* I started using affirmations. It shows the purpose of the action.