The Dos of Affirmations
1. Keep it Positive
First and foremost, affirmations should be positive. It sounds obvious, right? But you’d be surprised how many people get this wrong. Saying “I am not a failure” might seem positive, but our brains tend to skip over the “not” part. A better approach is “I am successful.” Simple, positive, and straight to the point.
“I am brimming with energy and overflowing with joy.”
2. Be Present
Affirmations are not wishes for the future, they are statements about the now. Saying “I will be successful” puts success in the future. Instead, “I am successful” affirms your current state. It’s about embodying the success now, not later.
3. Make it Believable
This one’s a bit tricky. If your affirmation is too far-fetched, your brain will just roll its eyes and say, “Yeah, right!” If you’re struggling with money, “I am a millionaire” might be a stretch. But how about “I am improving my financial wellbeing every day”? That’s more like it.
The Don’ts of Affirmations
1. Avoid Negatives
Like I mentioned earlier, our brains have a funny way of ignoring words like “not” or “don’t.” So, if you focus on what you don’t want, you might just end up inviting it in. Keep your affirmations free of negatives.
2. Don’t Make Them Too Long
“Every day, in every way, I’m getting better, stronger, more successful, healthier, wealthier…” Hold up! Keep it short.
3. Don’t Be Vague
“I am good” is nice, but good at what? Be specific. “I am good at communicating with others” gives your brain something concrete to work with.
Bringing Affirmations to Life
So, you’ve got your affirmations. Now what? Repeat them. Write them down. Put them on your mirror, your fridge, your screensaver. Whisper them, shout them, sing them. The more energy you put into these affirmations, the more they’ll become a part of your life.
Remember, affirmations are like seeds. Plant them in the fertile soil of your mind, water them with belief and attention, and watch them grow. Who knows, you might just surprise yourself with what blossoms.
Affirmations are more than just feel-good phrases; they’re a way of shaping your reality. By focusing on what you want, rather than what you don’t want, you’re putting yourself in the driver’s seat of your life. It’s like programming your GPS for the destination you want to reach.