Positive affirmations or quotes are simply phrases that uplift your mood, or help reinforce your self-confidence or self-esteem. They assert that you are on the right path to good things. 

You use them whether you notice or not. For example, if you ever catch yourself wanting to give up when you are almost done with something but it requires a final push, and you tell yourself: “I can do this!”. This is a positive affirmation that is helping you carry on with that task. 

They can be used in more ways than that, though, if you decide to make use of this powerful tool to achieve your goals and dreams.

Have you ever heard of the power of autosuggestion? (see References)

The Oxford dictionary defines autosuggestion as:

“the hypnotic or subconscious adoption of an idea that one has originated oneself, e.g. through repetition of verbal statements to oneself in order to change behavior”. This is how positive affirmations work in your brain after you repeat them to yourself enough times (whether by reading an affirmation, saying it out loud, or writing it down). 

“They can conquer who believe they can.” – Virgil

The goal here is to teach you how to consciously use affirmations to reach a goal you desire: be it in your relationships, in your financial / business life, in your spiritual life, etc. It goes without saying these affirmations should be aimed for the good, and yes, you can use them to help someone else, but this article will focus on how to use them for yourself.

Some examples are: “I can achieve whatever I set my mind to,” or “I get dream clients with ease.”

How not to use positive affirmations

Unfortunately, many people use affirmations for negative results, also known as “limiting beliefs”. They often end up being self-fulfilling prophecies. “I am terrible at making friends” or “I just can’t seem to lose weight” are examples of negative self-talk that will keep you, well, right there in that situation you so wish to come out of.

Have you ever heard someone that always says they are “bad at math” ever turning it around and getting good at it? Turn that internal dialogue around and arm yourself with some optimism! Say: “I am great at making friends” or “I can lose weight easily when needed”; even if it hasn’t been your situation up until now. These affirmations will put your mindset where it needs to be for you to achieve it.

Are Positive Affirmations effective?

Positive affirmations when used correctly are a powerful tool to achieve personal goals. You can’t, however, expect positive affirmations to work by themselves with no corresponding action. For example, you cannot affirm you will become a millionaire then sit and wait for money to fall on your lap. Well then, you may ask: “if I will have to work to achieve my goals, then why the need for positive affirmations?”

I’m glad you asked! You see, almost anyone can say “I want to become a millionaire”, but not actually believe it can happen or, really, deep down, that they even deserve it. You won’t achieve your goals that way, with or without action. If you don’t believe you deserve it, you won’t be able to achieve it because you’ll subconsciously sabotage yourself.

Our life is what our thoughts make it. – Marcus Aurelius

If you don’t have that problem, positive affirmations will trigger your brain into a working mode of “how to make this a reality”; and you will begin seeing actions and inspiration coming to you to help you take the necessary steps to reach your objectives. It is like putting a machine in motion that is extremely powerful – that machine is your brain.

The impact of positive thoughts in your brain

When you focus on a thought or an idea, that creates neural pathways that get engraved in your brain. Neuroscientists have found that you are capable of establishing these new pathways when you engage in new thought patterns and activities. The more repetition, the stronger the pathways become.

The stronger they get, the more ingrained they get in your brain, which will in turn harness its subconscious power to ensure this becomes your reality, while also ensuring you adopt the necessary behavior. 

Imagine that along with the affirmation “I am a successful and skilled professional and people love working with me”, you:

• repeat it enough times, 
• believe that you are capable and that you deserve it (even though it may not be your current reality), 
• expect your goal to be fulfilled and work at it

Then reaching that goal will be almost inevitable. 

How to use Positive Affirmations?

Here are some rules for affirmations to be more effective: first, you need the affirmations that are in line with what you desire for yourself (it may seem obvious, but it could take some soul searching to ensure these are your and not someone else’s wishes projected onto you). 

Second, you need to believe these goals are achievable (maybe let’s not shoot for being able to become invisible as my kid would like to), and you are worthy of them (hint: you are). Third, you must expect your wishes to come true. Fourth, you must deeply desire that change to take place. Otherwise, this whole exercise becomes ineffective and you should revisit what it is you really want.

Tips for using positive affirmations effectively

One tip is to identify when you start thinking those self-limiting thoughts mentioned above – catch yourself in the act, stop it in its tracks and revert to the associated positive message you want to use instead. This will tell your brain to create those new pathways that will help you get more of what you want. That is why it is so important to focus on the positive and on what you want, and not on what you are lacking or feel negative about!

Another tip is to use sentences in the present tense – because you want this to be your reality, not something you are endlessly wishing for. It should be an affirmation, not a negation (since the brain tends to focus on the main words). So “I am becoming wiser everyday” is better than “I am becoming less ignorant everyday”.

Furthermore, is it better to read them to yourself, out-loud, write them down, use visuals? Sing?

All those are good ideas and there is not a set rule on which is better. 

One last tip is that engaging all senses boosts the process. That means, if you want to spend your next vacation at the beach, you could, in addition to the affirmation, imagine smelling the ocean, feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin and the soft white sand between your toes, savoring the drink you are having, seeing the waves and feeling how happy and grateful you are for being exactly where you want to be. All of those pieces add up to reinforce the idea in your brain that this is gonna happen!

When to use them?

That’s also a good question with no right answer. Some experts think that in the morning, right after you wake up, and before bedtime as the last thing you do before going to sleep are good times; but there is really no scientific proof that those times work any better than any other time.

How often to use them?

It depends. Everybody’s brain is different and it may require a different amount of repetition from one person to another. Some suggest starting with a 5 time repetition a day, some up to 50 or more.

Where to find Positive Affirmations

You could search for articles such as this on the web, Youtube videos, products you use on a daily basis with positive affirmations on them (like ours!), apps for your phone; or come up with your own, based on what you are specifically aiming for at this point in your life. 

Thought is the sculptor who can create the person you want to be. – Henry David Thoreau

Many books are available as well that discuss this subject. 

Some famous books are:

• You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
• You Were Born Rich by Bob Proctor
• The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

Examples of Positive Affirmations

“I love who I am becoming”

“I make only the best decisions for my life today”

“My potential to succeed is infinite”

“I am blessed with an incredible family and wonderful friends”

“Generating positive cash flow in my business is normal”

“I have the power to create the life I want”

“I have what it takes to achieve my goals”

“I am blessed with an incredible family and wonderful friends”

“I am brave and assertive in my decisions”

“My thoughts are filled with positivity and my life is plentiful with prosperity”

“I love and respect my body”

Try creating one for yourself – if you don’t feel inspired, try using “I am good at creating positive affirmations for myself”!

If you have one you like, please let me know in the comment section. I’d love to hear your positive thoughts!

References
#1: The Coué Method
#2: Baudouin’s Suggestion and Autosuggestion