Since I always provide jobseekers in my classes with a list of affirmations to help improve their mindset, I was intrigued to read in Daniel Pink’s latest book, To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, research about the power of putting affirmations in question form. He cites a study in 2010 where participants required to solve puzzles were doubly successful if they asked themselves, “Will I solve the puzzles?” versus the group that stated, “I will solve the puzzles.”

According to Pink:

“[T]he interrogative, by its very form, elicits answers–and within those answers are strategies for actually carrying out the task. Imagine, for instance, that you’re readying yourself for an important meeting in which you must pitch an idea and marshal support for it. You could tell yourself, ‘I’m the best. This is going to be a breeze,’ and that might give you a short-term emotional boost. But if you ask instead, ‘Can I make a great pitch?’ the research has found that you provide yourself something that reaches deeper and lasts longer. You might respond to yourself, ‘Well, yes, I can make a great pitch. In fact, I’ve probably pitched ideas at meetings two dozen times in my life.’ You might remind yourself of your preparation…You might also give yourself specific tactical advice…Mere affirmation feels good and that helps. But it doesn’t prompt you to summon the resources and strategies to actually accomplish the task.”

If we apply this to a jobseeker / career changer affirmation, “I NOW HAVE CRYSTAL CLEAR CLARITY ON THE JOB OF MY DREAMS” and flip this around to, “Do I have crystal clear clarity on the job of my dreams?” the answer could prove insightful. Perhaps you would respond with what information you have about what you want or don’t want, as well as resources at your fingertips to tap. Pink advises you to list five specific reasons why the answer to your question is yes. He says, “These reasons will remind you of the strategies that you’ll need to be effective on the task, providing a sturdier and more substantive grounding than mere affirmation.”

While I still believe affirmations created in the form of a statement are powerful tools, it can’t hurt to add in a few questions and see what answers come.