Affirmations, positive thinking - whats it all about and does it work?

Affirmations

 

What are affirmations?

Let’s first start with the official definition.

The definition of affirmation is the act of confirming something to be true, or is a written or oral statement that confirms something is true. An example of affirmation is reminding a child that she is smart.

or

Affirmations in New Thought and New Age terminology refer primarily to the practice of positive thinking and self-empowerment—fostering a belief that "a positive mental attitude supported by affirmations will achieve success in anything."

 

Not to confuse positive thinking with affirmations, lets quickly look at positive thinking. Affirmations are used in the process of building a positive mental attitude habit.

 

Positive thinking

Positive thinking has been getting a lot of flak recently, some say it works and others say it’s a waste of time. I say it is not implemented correctly. There is a time and place for everything.

 

Some people think positive thinking is, to say there is no pain when you have just broken your leg, or say to yourself your heart is not broken when you have lost a loved one or lover, or just repeating silly positive statements in the hope it will turn your life around.

Positive thinking should rather be seen as having a positive mental attitude. Meaning, you have positive expectations about life and outcomes. Life will still happen, but it’s the way we process the happenings that determine if we suffer or not.

A positive mental attitude also requires honesty with yourself. Did you mess up or have you tried your absolute best. Honesty is not always visible in the heat of a moment and therefore requires you to go within. A good exercise for this is Solitude. (More on solitude in another article)

Let’s say you are sore about losing your job. Having a positive mental attitude will be difficult if you did not give your absolute best, if you know you were slacking.

Having a positive mental attitude will be difficult if you do not have higher ambitions for yourself. Having a positive mental attitude will be difficult if you do not have high hopes for your future in the career.

I say this because if you did have high ambitions and future vision you would see the loss of job as a blessing that is opening up other opportunities.

You can’t fix your life with just positive thinking, it comes with planning and building a vision for your future. It comes with belief.

I have heard of so many stories of people who lost their jobs and then a much bigger and better opportunity presented itself to them. If they had a negative attitude towards the job loss and are angry at the previous ‘job’ situation, then you won’t see the new opportunity that is opening up.

 

A positive mental attitude is a practice, its not something that you decide on every now and then, or when someone is listening in. You will have turn around a negative thought or attitude when it is presented to you. That’s one way to build the habit of a positive mental attitude. And the key word is HABIT. We can say that our lives consist out of habits.

 

Where does affirmations come into play then?

Affirmations are words and phrases that we use to program and rewire the mind to reach a certain goal or state of being. We use them all the time, most people are not aware that they are using it to the detriment of themselves. “I can’t do this” or “I never get this right”.

 

Somewhere in your life you believed you are less than what you actually are. Unworthy, lack of confidence etc. Using affirmations is part of the process to change and rewire our minds.

It is like a reminder you tell yourself that you are moving and growing in a new direction.

 

So, to change a state or habit that we do not want, we use positive affirmations.

For example, “I am confident”, or “I wake up motivated”, or “I am worthy of success/a lover etc”.

 

Little by little your brain starts picking up on where you are becoming more confident or motivated, and just the act of noticing is again affirming.
When you wake up in the morning, one of your first thoughts will be, “I wake up motivated”. That thought is enough to get you motivated.

 

When does it not work?

When you create an affirmation that you can not believe. “I make a million dollars per month” when you barely scrape by and have no proper plans to receive a million dollars per month.

A better approach is start with something you do believe, “I am a successful entrepreneur.” “I am productive in my business and that leads to more sales”. “I am meeting the right people to grow my business”. These are smaller steps to start with. If an affirmation seems out of reach, then you won’t believe what you are saying. This can lead to distrust in yourself.

Start with something believable, build a plan to where you are heading. What is the next thing you must attain on your way to a million dollars a month. Maybe you need to sharpen up on your sale skills, or people skills.

 

In conclusion.

Affirmations are a reprogramming tool. Its is not positive thinking in itself although the statements are positive.

Affirmations are also used to build new habits. Its easier to start an exercise regime when you like to exercise than if you hate it. “I love being fit and healthy. Eating healthy makes me feel wonderful.”

 

Affirmations work well in the reprogramming of the mind. Unbeknownst to you, you affirmed the way you currently are already years ago. If you don’t like exercise, where did it start from? Somewhere out there, there is someone that loves exercise. Why can they love it and you not? There is no reason. Use affirmations to start liking something that will support your life and vision.

 

Become aware of where you currently reinforce your old affirmations and start to change them with the better affirmation that is supporting your future.

 

 

Here are some affirmations to get you going.

 

1.      I am successful.

2.      I am confident.

3.      I am strong.

4.      I am getting better and better every day.

5.      I wake up motivated.

6.      I am an unstoppable force of nature.

7.      I am a living, breathing example of motivation.

8.      I am living with abundance.

9.      I am inspiring people through my work.

10.   I’m rising above the thoughts that are trying to make me angry or afraid.

11.   Today is a phenomenal day.

12.   I am not pushed by my problems; I am led by my dreams.

13.   I am grateful for everything I have in my life.

14.   I can be whatever I want to be.

15.   I am not defined my by past; I am driven by my future.

16.   Today will be a productive day.

17.   I am intelligent and focused.

18.   I feel more grateful each day.

19.   I am getting healthier every day.

20.   Each and every day, I am getting closer to achieving my goals.

21.   I am constantly growing and evolving into a better person.

22.   I accept myself for who I am and create peace, power and confidence of mind and of heart.

23.   I am going to forgive myself and free myself. I deserve to forgive and be forgiven.

24.   I must remember the incredible power I possess within me to achieve anything I desire.

25.   I am meeting my own definition of success.

26.   I finish what matters and let go of what does not.

27.   I feed my spirit. I train my body. I focus my mind. This is my time.

28.   What I have done today was the best I was able to do today. And for that, I am thankful.

29.   I set goals and go after them with all the determination I can muster. When I do this, my own skills and talents will take me to places that amaze me.

30.   Happiness is a choice, and today I choose to be happy.

 

 

Live SourceFull

 

 

 

 

 

(50 Affirmations Source- https://www.usosm.com/employee/50-self-affirmations-to-help-you-stay-motivated-every-day/)