Affirmations are positive statements or phrases that we use to affirm and reinforce our beliefs, thoughts, attitudes, and behaviours. Whether you’re trying to reduce self-doubt, overcome a bad habit or achieve a specific goal, affirmations can help build your focus and motivation.
If you’re new to using affirmations, it’s normal to feel unsure about what they are, how to choose them, and how to use them effectively. But don’t worry, in this post, I’ll define affirmations and give you practical tips and tricks for incorporating them into your daily routine. Get ready to feel empowered and inspired as we explore the world of affirmations together!
“The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.”
Oprah Winfrey
Definition of Affirmations – what are affirmations?
Affirmations are positive statements that we intentionally say to ourselves. They are used to replace negative thoughts and beliefs with uplifting ones. When we say an affirmation with conviction, we affirm, or acknowledge, the truth of what we are saying and by repeating the affirmation we programme our subconscious mind to believe the statement. They help you shift your mindset and thought patterns to align with the life you want to create.
Scientific research has shown that positive affirmations work by strengthening neural pathways. By focusing on positive thoughts and beliefs through affirmations, we can create lasting change in our life.
The power of affirmations comes from their ability to change the way you think and feel. This leads to you making positive changes which improve your life.
How to Create Positive Affirmations
The most powerful affirmations are the ones that mean something to you; generic affirmations will not be as impactful. They should align with your experience, and you believe they are true.
- Identify your goal or area of your life you would like to improve.
- Think about what you’d like to achieve and what messages you need to hear.
- Make positive statements that affirms that achievement and message, look online if you need inspiration, but remember to tailor it to you.
- Make the statement believable, so you may change “I am a millionaire” to “I am growing my business to become a millionaire”
- Make sure the statement is in the present tense, this is something that is true now.
- Use positive language so you focus on what you want to achieve, not what you don’t want. Your affirmations should not include words like “not,” “never,” and “can’t.” This will help you reduce your negative thinking.
- Use strong language such as I am, I can to affirm your goals and beliefs instead of I hope, I wish.
“Your thoughts empower your actions, which in turn generate your results.”
Jon Acuff, Soundtracks
Affirmation Examples
The key to effective affirmations is to choose empowering words that resonate with your goals and aspirations. Here are some examples covering different categories, however the options for affirmations are endless. Some people like something short like a mantra while others like long paragraphs that invoke an emotional response.
- Self-love – “I am worthy of love and respect.”
- Confidence – “I trust my instincts and make decisions with confidence.”
- Abundance – “I am abundant in all areas of my life.”
- Success – “I am successful in all that I do.”
- Financial abundance – “”Money flows to me effortlessly.”
- Self-worth – “I believe in myself and my abilities.”
You can use affirmations at any stage in your life from going to job interviews to being pregnant.
Incorporating Affirmations into Daily Life
For affirmations to have an impact, you need to incorporate them into your daily life, ideally repeating them more than once a day. They are most effective when said regularly and with intention.
You can repeat them out loud or in your mind. Affirmations are most effective when you believe in what you’re saying. You can increase their impact by saying them in front of the mirror and using visualization to see and feel your success or contentment.
Here are some suggestions on how you could include them in your day:
- as part of your meditation
- writing them in your journal or even just on a piece of paper you then throw away
- repeat them as you do regular tasks such as cleaning your teeth or making a drink
- write them on a note and put it in a place you see regularly such as your mirror
With practice, affirmations can become a natural part of your daily routine, helping you to live a happier, more fulfilled life. Remember that affirmations only work if you use them consistently and with positivity.
The more you say it, the more you see it”
Nordine Zouareg, InnerFitness
Myths and Misconceptions About Affirmations:
Although the concept of affirmations has existed for a long time, there are many misconceptions that can stop people from using them. Here are some of the most common ones:
Affirmations are only for positive thinkers – anyone can use affirmations regardless of their thinking style as they are just statements that can help reprogram the mind to think in a more positive and empowering way.
Affirmations are a quick fix – while they will help change your mindset and therefore your actions, they are not a magic solution that will instantly transform your life. It takes consistent practice and effort to see lasting changes.
Affirmations are unrealistic – the wording should be tailored to your situation and may reflect the journey you’re on instead of the final destination. However, the words should be constructive and empowering e.g. I am working on becoming healthier instead of I am healthy.
Affirmations are only for personal development – they can be tailored for any area of your life and help you achieve goals.
Affirmations have to be said out loud – saying affirmations out loud can be helpful, they can also be written down, thought, or visualized. The most important thing is to find a method you will do consistently.
My affirmation practice
I first came across affirmations about twenty years ago when I read You can heal your life by Louise Hay*. However, it was only when I read the Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod that I regularly started using positive morning affirmations. More recently I have changed the way I choose my daily positive affirmations. I’m currently focusing on one theme; my beliefs about going to bed to help shift my internal soundtracks about sleep.
Straight after I’ve meditated I read my affirmations using an app. It shows each affirmation on the screen for a few seconds while I read each one. I’m currently reading them in my head as I don’t want to disturb people who are still asleep. The app also shows affirmations on the home page of my phone so I see them each time I pick it up. However, I’ve got a bit blind to this so may need to change its location. And I read through them again as part of my work shut down process to make sure I remind myself what I want to achieve as I approach the end of the day.
My affirmations include:
- I’m kind to myself by giving my body time to rest
- I wake up feeling energised and motivated
- I get up quickly to get the most out of my mornings.
Conclusion
Affirmations are positive statements or phrases that we use to affirm and reinforce our beliefs, thoughts, attitudes, and behaviours. They are powerful tools that help us develop a positive mindset, build self-esteem and achieve our goals. Affirmations are a type of self-talk that promote positive thoughts and emotions. We can choose affirmations that inspire us, motivate us, and empower us to overcome our challenges and achieve our dreams. By regularly using affirmations, we can transform our thoughts and beliefs, impacting our entire life.
Remember, you are deserving of a happy and fulfilling life, and affirmations are an excellent way to support yourself in that journey. Trust in yourself, choose affirmations that uplift you and see the positive changes they can bring to your life.
“You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.”
Joyce Meyer
If you want to explore this topic further
Books on a wide range of topics include affirmations, considering how they can support different goals, including finance, career and relationships. Here are some suggested books if you want to know more about affirmations.
- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod (my review)
- Soundtracks by Jon Acuff (my review)
- InnerFitness by Nordine Zouareg*
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill*
*Disclosure – this post includes affiliate links which means if you buy something after using it I will earn some money from the seller for suggesting you visit them. However, it will not cost you anything extra.
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