Affirmations - How to Make Them Real

“Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion.”  

Jim Rohn

Affirmations - How to Make Them Real

There has been some speculation as to whether using affirmations is helpful in pursuing personal development and setting goals.

In a word, yes.

Affirmations are repeated positive statements designed to bring about the desired result. The repetitious aspect is meant to influence and trigger the subconscious mind into positive action.

It's no surprise that on a daily basis we often unconsciously repeat negative statements to ourselves about different situations in our lives. In doing so we often bring about the undesirable circumstance itself.

We might say to ourselves "I can't do this", "I'm not good enough for that" or "this will never work".

Needless to say, our proclamations become self-fulfilling prophecies.

The reverse can also be true.

If we were to turn the negative statements we frequently utter into positive ones, we would bring about more favorable outcomes.

Take Muhammad Ali as an example. Who hasn't heard his famous declaration?

"I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was." Muhammad Ali

Is there any question in anyone's mind that Ali's repetition of that phrase helped him achieve the status of being "the greatest"?

Another one of his famous maxims was "I float like a butterfly, sting like a bee". No doubt his opponents shuddered at the mere mention of it.

Another interesting illustration for the effectiveness of affirmations comes from the auto-suggestion work of Emile Coué (1857-1926) the French psychologist and pharmacist who introduced the now famous phrase:

"Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better".

As a tool for self-improvement, he recommended that we begin each day by stating it firmly and convincingly.

Coué felt that, as stated in his "Law of Concentrated Attention", whenever attention is concentrated on an idea over and over again, it spontaneously tends to realize itself. In working with his patients, he utilized this law to help them build their self-image.

Since then, affirmations have also been used in cognitive therapy and found to work quite well. Needless to say, there's no magic to it and there are limitations. Certainly, you wouldn't make an affirmation that is unrealistic or makes no sense. Ultimately, they are meant to serve as another helpful tool in furthering your personal development.

The Benefits

When used properly, the use of affirmations can change your attitude and behaviors.

Can change negative thinking into positive.

Help you stay focused.

Help you relax and release tension.

Can help motivate you to achieve your goals.

Tips On Use:

Make up special, meaningful phrases in your own descriptive words. It makes them more credible and therefore more effective.

Write them down so you remember what they are and are able to use them over and over again.

Always state them in the positive, for example, say, "I am good at this", instead of "I will not be bad at this".

Find a specific time and a quiet place and repeat them at least twice daily.

State them with conviction, enthusiasm, and desire.

Live them. Practice what you affirm.

Positive affirmations can be used to re-program your thought patterns and change the way you think and feel about things.

They are short positive statements that can help you focus on goals, get rid of negative, self-defeating beliefs, and program your subconscious mind.

Examples of affirmations related to various areas of personal development:

• I know, accept, and am true to myself.
• I believe in, trust, and have confidence in myself.
• I eat well, exercise regularly, and get plenty of rest to enjoy good health.
• I learn from my mistakes.
• I know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
• I forgive myself for not being perfect because I know I'm human.
• I never give up.
• I am a unique and worthy person.
• I respect myself.
• I accept what I cannot change.
• I make the best of every situation.
• I look for humor and fun in as many situations as possible.
• I enjoy life to the fullest.
• I focus on the positive.
• I turn obstacles into learning opportunities.
• I have control over my thoughts, feelings, and choices.
• I stand up for my beliefs, values, and morals.
• I treat others with respect and appreciate their individuality.
• I accept others for who they are.
• I contribute my talents and knowledge for the good of all.
• I make a difference whenever I can.
• I have a lot to offer.
• I value my time and input.
• I make good use of my time and energy.
• I support and encourage others.
• I take responsibility for my thoughts and feelings.
• I practice patience, understanding, and compassion with others as well as myself.
• I commit to learning new things.
• I strive to be open-minded.
• I endeavor to be the best that I can be.
• I live in the moment while learning from the past and preparing for the future.
• I appreciate all the good things in my life
• I believe everything works out for the best.
• I aspire to live a life that has meaning to me.
• I look forward to the future and my role in it.

The above are examples of positive affirmations you can use.

Have fun creating your own and tailoring them to suit your own needs and tastes.

Contributors: B. Tiger, Z. Hereford

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