Affirmations are statements that something is true. Whereas exercise conditions the body, affirmations condition the mind.
Everyone uses affirmations. The problem is that most people only use negative affirmations, e.g. “I am terrible with technology”, “I am awful in interviews”, “I am just not good with money”, “I am a terrible speaker.”
Negative affirmations damage your self-esteem and prevent you from achieving your goals.
The solution is to use positive affirmations. Why? They override negative, self-sabotaging affirmations.
These 10 tips show you how to create positive, life-changing affirmations:
1. Begin with “I am”.
According to Jack Canfield, the words “I am” are the two most powerful words in the language. Joel Osteen says, “Whatever follows the “I am” will eventually find you.”
Example: “I am successful.”
2. Use the present tense.
Keep the statement in the NOW moment in order to establish that the desired change is true today, not some day out into the future. This helps replace fears and doubts with confidence.
Instead of saying: “I am going to become a successful speaker.”
Say: “I am enjoying being a successful speaker.”
3. Focus on what you want, rather than what you don’t want.
Your subconscious mind doesn’t recognize the words “no” or “not.” Because your mind processes the world through pictures or images, saying something like “I’m no longer afraid of public speaking ” brings up mental images of times when you were afraid to speak in public.
Instead of saying: “I am not nervous when I speak in public.”
Say: “I am confident when I speak in public.”
4. Keep it simple. (K.I.S.)
The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary can speak. – Hans Hofmann
This way, you’ll be more likely to remember the affirmations and can call on them throughout the day when you need a boost of motivation or confidence.
Use short, powerful sentences. This makes the affirmations easy to recall.
Example: “I enjoy my work.”
5. Be specific about your desired outcome.
Vague affirmations lead to vague results. If you don’t know where you want to go, how will you know when you get there? So, make your affirmation very specific.
Example: “I am giving a presentation on the recently-released software to a group of my co-workers.”
6. Tap into your emotions.
Use words that ignite your emotions when you say your affirmation out loud.
Example: “I am confidently giving a presentation on the recently-released software to an applauding group of my co-workers”.
7. Believe the affirmation.
You must completely believe the affirmation, otherwise it has no value. Believing that you can do something causes your actions to follow.
8. Write the affirmation down.
Writing something by hand causes your brain to mentally engage much more so than when you type something. Hence, you develop a stronger conceptual understanding of what you are writing.
9. Repeat the affirmation.
Regular repetition of affirmations conditions your brain to accept them as fact. Set aside five minutes three times per day – in the morning (while shaving or putting on makeup), midday, and evening (perhaps at bedtime).
10. Visualize the desired outcome from step 5.
Picture yourself speaking before an audience of smiling, nodding people who stand and applaud when you are finished speaking.
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