Values Affirmation

Believing it will set the wheels in motion to achieve it

By Susan Langlois

Sometimes a technique to achieve success can be so simple that it’s tempting to think “that it is just too good to be true.” But before dismissing something that appears to be simple and wondering why isn’t everyone doing it, you might ask, “Is there any research to support that it works?”

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Values affirmation is a great technique that can be taught at camp and helps anyone get past doubts and focus on how personal strengths can bring success. And it doesn’t take long to complete a values affirmation exercise (15 minutes).

Build Confidence

D. Stewart, in an online article (2023), puts it this way: “By reflecting on your values in writing, you can affirm your identity and self-worth, creating a virtuous cycle of confidence, effort, and achievement.”

Here is a powerful exercise:

1.  Brainstorm with a small group about heroes the members admire and the heroes’ accomplishments (broke an athletic record, performed a song that became a number-one hit, overcame cancer, started a recycling center to combat climate change, etc.). Have the members identify eight to 10 strengths those heroes have to accomplish their feats (disciplined in training long hours, persistence not to give up on the first try, hiring a coach, etc.) and share them. .   

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2.  Ask the members to think of a time when they weren’t sure they could be successful but actually did succeed. Note one or two strengths that helped bring success (they can refer to the previous list or write others down). Ask members to share the strengths that led to success.

3.  Brainstorm about camp activities members find the most difficult to master (swimming, climbing wall, volleyball, sailing). Post this list of challenging activities for everyone.

4.  Now ask the group to make a connection: how can their own strengths be applied to succeed at skills they find challenging? Ask volunteers to share their written examples with the rest of the group.

Make The Connection

So, why does this exercise work? G. L. Cohen and D. K. Sherman are two key researchers in values affirmation and have documented the improvement in students who struggle in public schools and at the college level in STEM courses (2014). These students showed significant gains in their grades as well as in optimism to learn difficult subjects and master complex problems. 

Students who make a connection by believing in their core strengths and writing down how they can be used to be successful also showed improvement after completing the researchers’ study, and that success was transferred into other subjects.

Begin With The End

Another way of approaching values affirmation is to ask campers to “begin with the end in mind.” How would they feel if they could swim 50 meters and not be out of breath? Beginning with the end in mind is actually the second habit of Stephen Covey’s classic The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (1989). The major benefit from this values affirmation is that it increases one’s confidence to expect success and lowers anxiety by eliminating doubts. Asking campers to free write (not even taking the pen off the paper or worrying about spelling) and describing what the subject looks, sounds, feels, tastes, and even smells like will enhance their mindset for success!

Susan Langlois has more than 30 years of experience as a college professor, athletic administrator, camp director, and sport-facilities design consultant. She is a graduate of Springfield College and the University of New Hampshire. She is currently the Dean of Arts & Sciences at Rivier University in Nashua, N.H. Reach her at slanglois@rivier.edu.

Work Cited

Cohen, G. L. and D. K. Sherman, (2014). “The psychology of change: self-affirmation and social psychological intervention.” Annual Review of Psychology, 65, 333-371.

Covey, S. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Free Press.

Stewart, D. (2023). “Simple intervention: Values Affirmation.” Retrieved from https://davestuartjr.com/simple-intervention-values-affirmation-exercise/