August 11, 2011
We spend a lot of time running a negative train of thought through our mind through self-deprecating talk. Our thoughts become what we believe – if we think negatively, our actions will fall in line with what we think. If you think that you are going to fail a test, it’s in good likelihood that you will in fact fail that test. If you tell yourself that you will always be broke, your thoughts and actions will fall into line. It’s better to spend your energies thinking positively, so that your actions will fall into line with a better, more positive way of thinking. Affirmations will help with that.
According to Jack Canfield’s book, The Success Principles, Affirmations (Principle 10) have 9 basic characteristics –
1. Start with the words I am.
2. Use the present tense when creating your affirmation.
3. State it in the positive. Affirm what you want, not what you don’t want.
4. Keep it brief, and more importantly, memorable. Rhyming helps!
5. Make it specific.
6. Include an action word ending with ‘-ing’
7. Include at least one dynamic emotion or feeling word.
8. Make affirmations for yourself, not others.
9. Add ‘or something better’.
Example: I am excited to having all my outstanding student bills paid off by July 30, 2013.
I would also add 10. Be realistic. Making an affirmation that you are going to lose 100 pounds, and all the while you’re still eating junk food, the affirmation loses a bit of its’ strength.
Now just saying that these affirmations won’t create change without action. The thoughts are just a start. What affirmations can you create today that can have you change the way you think about how you see yourself?
P.S. Another great book to read is Change the Way You See Yourself, by Hank Wasiak. Both books are good read, not overly heady, and don’t have to be read all at once. A great website to listen to affirmations is www.MyThoughtCoach.com. There are affirmations that are varied in length, and cover a wide vaierty of subjects. You can download them on your favorite mp3 player, or play them on your computer. Check them out, and let me know what you think! Happy Thursday!
