Molly Burford - Say Yes to Yourself: 50+ Uplifting Lessons in Self-Empowerment, Self-Confidence, and Self-Worth

Adams Media

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Copyright 2020 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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First Adams Media hardcover edition November 2020

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Interior design and illustrations by Priscilla Yuen

Interior images 123RF/elenarolau, fastfun23

Cover design by Frank Rivera

Cover images 123Rf/Elenarolau

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Burford, Molly, author.

Title: Say yes to yourself / Molly Burford.

Description: Avon, Massachusetts: Adams Media, 2020. | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020034536 | ISBN 9781507214411 (hc) | ISBN 9781507214428 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Self-confidence. | Self-esteem. | Self-realization.

Classification: LCC BF575.S39 B865 2020 | DDC 158.1--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020034536

ISBN 978-1-5072-1441-1

ISBN 978-1-5072-1442-8 (ebook)

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Simon & Schuster, Inc., was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

This book is dedicated to my father, Chris, who has always encouraged me to look at everything my sisters and I offer with pride, confidence, and compassion.

Self-empowerment.

Youve likely heard the term before, and its no surprise: Its a concept that is fundamental for living your very best life. After all, to feel empowered in your own skin means taking the reins and steering your future in the direction you want to gothe direction that will lead you to success and happiness.

You are capable and worthy of living the life you want and loving yourself. Sometimes you just need a reminder! And thats what Say Yes to Yourself is all about.

Here you will discover dozens of important lessons, interactive exercises, and inspirational quotes to help you manifestand maintainself-esteem, confidence, and a sense of empowerment.

In the pages that follow, youll:

R EWRITE THE STORY YOU TELL YOURSELF

L EARN TO TRUST THE TIMING OF YOUR OWN LIFE

P RACTICE POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS

M AKE A SELF-EMPOWERMENT PLAYLIST

F ALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR POTENTIAL

F OCUS ON YOUR STRENGTHS

A ND MORE!

You can read this book beginning to end or flip through to lessons that are most helpful for a current situation. But before jumping in, be sure to check out the following section for how to use this book. There you will uncover tips for making the most of all this book has to offer. Its time to start saying yes to yourselfand hello to the joyful, fulfilling life you were always meant to live!

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Are you seeking to feel more confident in your everyday life? Maybe youve begun to doubt yourself or have never really felt capable of achieving your dreams. Whatever the case, this book is here to help you show up to your life every day with self-assurance, excitement, and courage. The more than fifty lessons that follow offer direction, clarity, inspiration, and practice for saying yes to yourself. And what does it mean to say yes to yourself, exactly? Saying yes means having faith in who you are and showing up to your life each day as your authentic self. Its giving yourself permission to live the life you want to live.

Using this book is simple and straightforward. Keep it nearby and pick it up whenever you start to doubt your awesome self. You can flip to a lesson that is pertinent to your present challenge, or simply read it straight through for inspiration. Some lessons will provide activities you can complete right away. Others offer mindsets for you to carry through life. There are also quotes from driven, self-empowered individuals who have done the work to trust themselves and their lives. Manifest their energy so you can watch your world expand and your confidence grow! You can keep this book on your bedside table to read before bed or on your coffee table to pick up when the moment strikes. Its even small enough to take on the go.

Most importantly, take these lessons in with an open mind and heart. You will need to unlearn the old lessons that made you doubt yourself in the first place. You will also need to tune out the harmful voicesfrom yourself or othersthat have told you that you had to be everything and anything but yourself. You are enough. You are more than enough. You already have all the power within you to not only do what you want, but also what you need and are meant to do. Sometimes, you just need a little guidance.

Now lets get started!

You are totally full of potential! You just need to tap in to the right parts of yourself and work with what youve got. Not a morning person but thrive in the afternoon? Use that to your advantage and schedule your most important meetings and tasks for noon onward whenever possible. Hate running but love going for hikes? Stop forcing yourself to get on the treadmill and find hiking trails for exercise. Whatever your situation may be, it just comes down to being realistic and self-aware. Youre perfectly fine the way you are. Reallyyou are! The trick is to focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses.

Focus on your strengths,

not your weaknesses.

Focus on your character,

not your reputation.

Focus on your blessings,

not your misfortunes.

ROY T. BENNETT , author

Music can deeply affect your mood and attitude. In times of stress or insecurity, pop on a self-empowerment playlist to turn that negativity into inner confidence. Have your playlist readily available on your phone or computer so when a difficult situation or self-doubt strikes, the likes of Lizzo will remind you that you are 100 percentyou know the lyrics.

Need some inspiration for your own playlist? The following are some empowering song suggestions to get you started.