The Power of Positive Affirmations with Dennis Mutuma Mbogori

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Welcome back to The Daily Mastermind! George Wright III here with your daily dose of inspiration, motivation, and education.

Today, I’m joined by a guest. I think you're going to get a lot out of—Dennis Mbogori. I believe what we’re covering today is going to be critical for your mindset.

So, Dennis, welcome to the show.

Thank you. Thank you, George. I appreciate it. I’m glad we were able to align our schedules because I know you have some powerful stories to share.

Before we get started, I want to introduce you properly. You were born in Kenya and moved to the U.S. during college. What initially attracted me to our conversation was how you were inspired by John Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. You’ve gone through some of his programs, developed your own, and have become a coach, motivational speaker, and writer.

You’re also the author of Affirm Your Greatness: Harnessing the Power of Positive Affirmations. I’m really excited to get into this discussion with you today.

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Origin Story

Dennis, let’s start by hearing a little bit about your story. Tell us about your journey to the U.S. and what sparked your passion for personal development.

Sure. Thank you, George.

I was born in Nakuru, Kenya, in the Rift Valley region of East Africa. I lived there through my second year of college, and then, in 1999, my father decided to relocate the entire family to the United States.

We arrived in July of ‘99, right in the middle of summer, and settled in Georgia. This was my first time in the U.S. I had traveled within Africa—to Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa—but I had never been to the West before.

Wow.

Yeah, and adjusting was a challenge. First, there was the heat—it was blazing hot. Then, there was the culture shock. People couldn’t understand what I was saying, and I couldn’t understand what they were saying, even though we were all speaking English.

Over time, I realized the main issue was that I was speaking too fast. So I learned to slow down my speech, and that helped a lot with communication.

Once we arrived, we had to figure everything out—where to work, where to shop, how to navigate a new currency. Moving from Kenyan shillings to U.S. dollars was an adjustment in itself. I had to learn what a dime, a nickel, and a penny were.

One interesting thing I’d like to mention, George, is that when most people migrate from Africa or other countries, the first instinct when shopping is to convert prices into their native currency.

So I would pick up a loaf of bread, see that it was $2, and mentally convert that to Kenyan shillings. Then I’d think, This is too much, and put it back. It took time for me to accept that I was now in the U.S. and needed to adapt to this currency and cost of living.

Yeah, that’s such an interesting perspective.

Yeah, and eventually, we settled in. I got my first job working part-time in a grocery store, then later became a telemarketer.

Believe it or not, I worked for MCI WorldCom, selling long-distance phone service. My pitch would start with, Hey, have you seen the ad with Michael Jordan for MCI WorldCom?—and then people would hang up because I was calling them at dinner time.

Talk about a struggle.

Exactly.

You're literally trying to adjust to a new language, a new culture, and find a job—all while dealing with rejection as a telemarketer. That’s overwhelming. Most people struggle with just the day-to-day, and here you were, completely changing everything about your life.

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Journey into Personal Development

So what happened that shifted your focus into personal development? Was there a particular moment that led you toward this career?

It happened a few years later when I enrolled at Beulah Heights Bible College in Atlanta.

One of our required courses was on leadership, and our textbook was The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell. We went through it over the semester, covering about a chapter a week.

At the end of the book, there was contact information for John Maxwell’s organization. It said, If you’re interested in coaching or starting a speaking career, email us, and we’ll get back to you.

I let that thought sit for a while. Eventually, in 2016—10 years after graduating from college—I finally took action and enrolled in their coaching certification program.

Wow, so it was on your mind for a decade before you made the leap?

Yes. The thought never left me. I kept watching John Maxwell’s A Minute with Maxwell, a one-minute video clip series on YouTube. Every time I watched, I’d think, Wow, this is really interesting.

He’s so calm and fatherly in his approach. In just one minute, he could communicate so much. And at the end of each video, he had a call to action: If you’re interested in our coaching program, click the link in the description.

So, eventually, I clicked the link.

I’m curious—what made you take action at that moment, 10 years later?

It was twofold.

First, I had graduated with a theology degree, but getting a pastoral assignment in the U.S. was difficult. When I approached churches, they’d ask a lot of questions—Where are you from? What do you want to do? How long will you be here?

So I put that dream aside and focused on the motivational speaking route instead.

I started consuming even more John Maxwell material, signed up for Audible, and listened to tons of audiobooks—not just on Maxwell, but on motivation, mindset, and personal growth. I also listened to Grant Cardone and other speakers in the personal development space.

Was it because the content was helping you personally, or were you drawn to personal development as a career?

Both.

And there was one particular law in The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership that stood out to me—the Law of Big Mo (Momentum).

Even after finishing the book, I kept revisiting that chapter. I felt stuck—like I wasn’t gaining momentum in life. I had graduated from college but wasn’t getting the opportunities I wanted.

So I kept circling back to that chapter, trying to understand, What is this Law of Big Mo? Why don’t I have momentum?

That’s when I started diving deep into researching, watching YouTube videos, listening to audiobooks, and actively seeking out ways to create momentum in my life.

That’s powerful. And it all came full circle when you started writing your book.

Yes. In 2020, when COVID hit and the world shut down, I wasn’t working for a while.

One day, I received an email newsletter—it was probably one of those that usually go to junk mail. But this one caught my attention. It said, Do you want to write a book? Click this link.

I clicked the link, and they sent a book template along with a step-by-step guide: Fill out this template, write your introduction, and publish it on Amazon through KDP.

I love that. You didn’t overthink it—you just took action.

Exactly. I gathered quotes that resonated with me, wrote my introduction, and shared my journey on leadership, motivation, and goal setting.

I'll continue with the next part shortly. Let me know if you'd like any changes so far!

Eventually, I got my book up on Amazon after getting the cover designed on Fiverr. I had to Google everything—Where do I get a book cover? How do I format it? I figured it all out.

That’s incredible.

And at first, the book just sat there. But thankfully, friends supported me—they bought copies, and that gave it some traction.

I think people need to hear this: success isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about taking action.

Absolutely. Taking that first step builds momentum.

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The Power of Positive Affirmations

I wanted to ask you in the time we have left, why did you choose the topic of positive affirmations for your book? A lot of people are skeptical of affirmations. They've heard it all the time—I say those things all the time, but it doesn’t help me. Why did you pick that topic? Help me understand a little bit about positive affirmations in your book.

Thank you.

It relates to my background and my upbringing. Back home in Kenya, I was the firstborn son. I have two younger brothers and a younger sister, and growing up, I don’t think my parents intentionally meant it, but especially my father—when I didn’t do things right, he’d say things like, I don’t think you’ll amount to anything.

When you hear statements like that, especially as a child, they seep into your subconscious.

Sure.

You graduate from high school, but there’s this inner voice that says, You’ll still not achieve what you think you will. It creates a feeling of self-doubt, an inferiority complex.

And when I had time to sit down, I started reading books. I came across a book by Zig Ziglar that had a collection of quotes, many relating to affirmations and changing your mindset. That’s when I decided to become my own doctor. I diagnosed myself out of negative thinking.

I love that. "Diagnose yourself out of that negative thinking."

Yeah. So, I dove into the whole affirmation thing. I did my research and learned about the science behind it. One thing that really intrigued me was neuroplasticity—the way affirmations physically change the structure of your brain. I thought, Wow, I can actually change the way my brain works just by speaking positively to myself.

It’s very easy to say, Oh, I’ve gained weight. I’m losing hair, and all the negative self-talk. There’s something about human nature that leans toward negativity. So I had to make a conscious decision to change the trajectory of my life and how I speak to myself.

I’m a preacher on Sundays, and I tell people how to live their lives and everything. But then come Monday morning, I’m going to work, and I’m like, Oh boy, it’s Monday. I have to deal with my boss. So I realized I had to change this blanket of negativity that fell on me and replace it with positive affirmations.

That’s when I started researching neuroplasticity and the power of affirmations. I learned that speaking affirmations to yourself, looking in a mirror, or putting sticky notes on the wall and repeating those statements can actually change you and how you live your life.

I love that, though. You hit a couple of really important things. One is that you decided to diagnose yourself and make a change. That’s cool. I haven’t heard that before.

The other thing is that affirmations aren’t just some personal development topic. It’s literally a technique that will change your brain. Neuroplasticity is real. If you're struggling with negativity and self-doubt, you’re not just saying something that’s not true. You’re literally programming your mind. And your mind is your best tool—unless it's working against you.

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Affirm Your Greatness

I want to note for the listeners because you probably forget you’ve done this, but your title really appealed to me. Your title is not just Positive Affirmations—it’s Affirm Your Greatness. I think that speaks to the fact that you’re not just trying to become something great. You’re already something great. You're just trying to have the tools to bring it out. Speak to that for a minute.

Yes, the title Affirm Your Greatness actually implies that you have greatness in you. It’s just that you have to peel off the layers—like peeling an onion or cabbage—and get to the core of your greatness. You need to get to the core of who you are meant to be, who you were created to be.

If you’re of a faith persuasion, there’s a saying: God doesn’t make junk.

So, if God doesn’t make junk, that means you have greatness in you. Regardless of how you were born into this world—whether the circumstances were good or bad—there is a reason you are here. There’s a reason you are alive at this time, and you have a purpose to fulfill.

So it’s up to you to dig deep and find out: why am I here? What am I good at? What legacy do I want to leave behind? What impact do I want to have on this world?

Even if you don’t become a motivational speaker, I guarantee you have a story inside of you. You just have to dig deep, get rid of the negative self-talk, and find what makes you passionate. What makes your heart sing? What gets you excited in the morning?

People always say, Thank God it’s Friday, but we should be thankful every day. We should be excited every day, whether it’s Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. We should wake up with zest and enthusiasm for life.

So, Affirm Your Greatness is a handbook to remind you that greatness is already inside you. You just have to bring it to the forefront.

I love it. I love it. And I loved some of the sections of the book. I haven’t finished it yet, but I’m a quick reader, and I loved it because you’ve put the science behind it. You talk about crafting your affirmations, integrating them with your life, overcoming limiting beliefs, and even applying them to health, wellness, and finance. There’s a section for all of that.

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Taking Action to Create Momentum

I want to note to the listener something really important. And I say this a lot, but success leaves clues. It’s how individuals like you think that is the key. You didn’t just stumble into writing a book or speaking—you made a conscious decision to take action.

You didn’t wait for all the answers to appear magically. You researched, learned, and took action. And I think people need to understand that consuming books, knowledge, and motivation is great—but at some point, you have to make a decision and take action.

Absolutely. That’s exactly what I realized. You can sit around and read all the books in the world, but if you don’t apply what you learn, nothing changes.

I think that’s why John Maxwell’s Law of Big Mo (Momentum) stuck with me so much. I kept feeling like my life wasn’t moving forward, but I didn’t realize at the time that momentum comes from action, not from waiting.

Exactly. That’s such a huge point. I think so many people get stuck in the cycle of consuming personal development material without actually doing anything. And what I love about your story is that every major turning point came from you taking action.

Yes! And sometimes that action is just a small step. When I finally clicked on that John Maxwell link after 10 years, it was a small decision—but it changed everything.

When I clicked on the link to learn how to write a book, I didn’t know what I was doing, but I figured it out. And now, looking back, those little decisions built momentum that brought me here.

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Overcoming Self-Doubt and Finding Purpose

I want to ask you this because I know there are people listening right now who are struggling with self-doubt. Maybe they feel overwhelmed with life and don’t even know where to start. What advice would you give someone who feels stuck? Where should they begin?

First, I would tell them: Your life has a purpose.

No one arrives in this world by accident. Regardless of the circumstances of your birth, you are here for a reason. Your life has meaning.

And I know that might sound simple, but the first step in overcoming self-doubt is to remind yourself daily that you matter. Your dreams matter. Your vision matters.

I love that. So, practically speaking, what can they do?

One thing that really helped me was writing down affirmations. I would write statements like:

• I have a purpose.
• I am capable of great things.
• I am not defined by my past.

If you need a reminder, put them on sticky notes around your house or write them in your phone’s notepad. Read them every day. Say them out loud. Because what you repeat to yourself becomes your reality.

That’s powerful. And I love what you said earlier about picking a purpose. Because so many people are stuck waiting to “find” their purpose—but the truth is, you can create a purpose.

If you don’t know what your purpose is yet, pick something. Work on something. Learn something. Pursue something. And along the way, you’ll discover what you were meant to do.

Exactly. And taking action toward any goal will open up new doors you didn’t even know existed.

If I had never taken that leadership course in Bible college, I wouldn’t have read John Maxwell’s book. If I hadn’t clicked on that link years later, I wouldn’t be a certified speaker today. If I hadn’t started researching affirmations, I wouldn’t have written my book.

Every step leads to the next. But you have to take the first step.

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Daily Rituals for Success

I ask a lot of my guests this question because I think habits and daily rituals are so important. Do you have a set of daily rituals that you follow? Something that keeps you grounded and moving forward?

Yes.

Every morning, before I get out of bed, I pray. That’s how I start my day—by centering myself.

During the day, I make sure to fill my mind with positivity. Instead of listening to the news or negative talk shows, I listen to inspirational music, podcasts, or audiobooks. I rarely consume traditional news because there’s just too much negativity.

In the evening, I spend time with my wife. We have discussions, read devotionals, and study the Bible together. That’s a key part of my daily routine.

I love that. And that’s a pretty common theme among high achievers—being intentional about what you consume. Because what you feed your mind directly impacts how you feel and perform.

Absolutely. If all you consume is negativity, you’ll feel negative. If you fill your mind with inspiration and wisdom, you’ll feel empowered. It’s that simple.

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Final Thoughts and Where to Connect with Dennis

Dennis, I’ve really enjoyed this conversation. I know our listeners will too. Before we wrap up, where’s the best place for people to connect with you?

The best place would be my website: DennisMotivates.com. Everything is there—my books, my blog, and my speaking engagements.

Awesome. I’ve been on your site, and you have a lot of great content—affirmations, motivational blog posts, and personal growth tips. So for everyone listening, I’ll include a link in the show notes. Make sure to check it out.

Dennis, it’s been a pleasure having you on the show. Any final words for our audience before we go?

Yes. The people you surround yourself with matter.

If you’re struggling with self-doubt or negativity, surround yourself with positive people. Surround yourself with people who will speak greatness into you—even when you don’t see it in yourself.

Whether that’s through books, podcasts, or real-life friends, make sure you have a support system that lifts you up.

I love that. Because the truth is, most of us naturally lean toward negativity. And if you don’t have people around you who counter that, it’s easy to stay stuck.

Exactly. We all need encouragement.

And I always end my show by saying: I believe that you have greatness inside of you. And I believe it’s never too late to start creating the life you were meant to live. But the key is—you have to do something about it.

So take action. Share this episode. Connect with Dennis. And if you got value from today’s conversation, let us know. Reach out to me on The Daily Mastermind Facebook or Instagram, and let’s keep the conversation going.

Dennis, thank you so much for being here today. This has been a great conversation.

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About Dennis M. Mbogori:

Dennis M. Mbogori is a Coach, Trainer, and Speaker with the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team. Born in Kenya, Dennis graduated from Aquinas High School in Nairobi and holds a Bachelor's Degree from Beulah Heights Bible College (now Beulah Heights University) in Atlanta, Georgia. He and his wife, Sarah, serve as the founding Senior Pastors of Redeemer Oasis Church, Marietta, Georgia, a multicultural and Christ-centered congregation. Dennis is passionate about Personal Growth and Development.

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Important Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revdmbogori/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rev.dmbogori/

Website: https://dennismotivates.com/

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About George Wright III:

George Wright is a Proven, Successful Entrepreneur- and he knows how to inspire entrepreneurs, companies, and individuals to achieve Massive Results. With more than 20 years of Executive Management experience and 25 years of Direct Marketing and Sales experience, George is responsible for starting and building several successful multimillion-dollar companies. He started at a very young age to network and build his experience and knowledge of what it takes to become a driven and well-known entrepreneur. George built a multi-million-dollar seminar business, promoting some of the biggest stars and brands in the world. He has accelerated the success and cash flow in each of his ventures through his network of resources and results driven strategies. George is now dedicated to teaching and sharing his Prosperity Principles and Strategies to every Driven and Passionate Entrepreneur he meets. His mission is to Empower Entrepreneurs Globally to create Massive Change and LIVE their Ultimate Destiny.

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