Columnist tries power phrase, finds it works
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- Amy Morin advocates using a 'power phrase'—a short, positive sentence repeated in stressful moments—as a two-minute cognitive reset to improve mental strength, citing personal use during a book deal negotiation
- Emma Beddington initially dismisses power phrases as cringey and self-indulgent, comparing them to power poses, but acknowledges research suggesting they activate brain regions linked to self-processing and behavioral change
- Emma Beddington traditionally uses self-criticism or nihilistic thoughts to cope with stress, such as telling herself 'you’ll be dead soon,' but finds these strategies leave her increasingly avoidant
- Oliver Burkeman influences Beddington’s reconsideration of self-improvement tactics with his question, 'How’s that working out for you?'—prompting her to test a positive alternative
- Emma Beddington tries a power phrase—'I am a reliable, competent writer and I can finish this column'—and reports it works, marking a rare moment of self-efficacy in her avoidance-prone mindset
Why it matters: For people who rely on self-criticism or fatalism to push through anxiety, adopting a simple positive phrase could reduce avoidance behaviors and improve follow-through on professional tasks, as even a single successful trial suggests a shift in self-perception is possible. The change isn't in the outcome but in the internal response to pressure.
