If you’ve ever read How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams (the creator of Dilbert), you’ve likely come across one of the boldest and simplest success strategies he swears by: writing your affirmation 15 times a day.
Sound strange? Maybe.
But according to Adams, this method has helped him achieve wildly improbable goals—from becoming a syndicated cartoonist to building a successful business empire.
In this post, I’ll break down:
- What exactly is this affirmation method
- Why repetition works (even if it feels silly)
- How to choose and write the right affirmation
- Practical tips to stick to this habit without losing your mind
- How to evaluate if it’s working
🔁 What Is the 15x Affirmation Method?
Scott Adams claims he wrote this sentence 15 times a day for months:
“I, Scott Adams, will become a syndicated cartoonist.”
He didn’t visualize, meditate, or chant it. He wrote it by hand.
According to him, this act helped align his subconscious with his goals, priming him to spot opportunities, take bold actions, and stay focused.
This isn’t about magic. It’s about focus and mental programming.
🧠 Why Repetition Matters (Even If You Don’t “Believe” It Yet)
Think of your brain like a computer. Writing an affirmation is like coding your intentions into it. Every time you write:
- You clarify your goal
- You reinforce it emotionally
- You remind yourself why it matters
- You influence your decisions subconsciously
Repetition builds belief. And belief fuels action.
Even if you don’t believe the statement right away, your brain starts nudging you toward behaviors and opportunities aligned with it. This is confirmation bias working in your favor.
✍️ How to Write the Right Affirmation
Here’s Scott’s basic formula:
- Make it specific
- Keep it positive (avoid “don’t” or “stop”)
- Write in present or future-tense certainty
- Use your name to reinforce identity
Example Templates:
“I, [Name], will become a senior software engineer at Google.”
“I, [Name], attract wealth, fitness, and happiness every day.”
“I, [Name], will write a bestselling book by 2026.”
Choose just one affirmation to start with. Make it your primary mission.
🕒 How to Fit It Into Your Day (Without Feeling Dumb)
Writing something 15 times a day sounds tedious, but here’s how to make it frictionless:
1. Break It Into 3 Sets of 5
- Morning (after waking up)
- Afternoon (lunch or break)
- Evening (before bed)
2. Use a Special Notebook
- Keep one just for affirmations.
- Make it feel purposeful and trackable.
3. Make It Part of a Ritual
- Tie it to brushing your teeth, journaling, or your morning coffee.
4. Do It Mindfully
- Don’t just scribble. Focus as you write.
🔍 How to Know If It’s Working
This isn’t a one-week trick. It’s long-term mental alignment.
But here’s what to look for:
- You start noticing opportunities related to your affirmation
- You feel more confident and clear-headed
- You start taking small actions toward your goal without much resistance
- Your decisions shift subtly in favor of the goal
Even if you don’t get the exact result, this habit makes you sharper, more persistent, and more goal-oriented.
🧪 Final Thoughts: Try It as an Experiment
You don’t have to believe in magic. Just believe in systems.
Scott Adams’ 15x affirmation rule is a low-risk, high-upside mental technique. Even if you feel silly at first, give it 30 days.
Worst case? You wasted 5 minutes a day.
Best case? You rewire your brain to chase down your biggest dream.
So grab a pen, pick your affirmation, and start writing.
Because your future might just begin with one sentence—written 15 times a day.