According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of affirmation is “the act of affirming.”
But here’s how Louise Hay defined affirmations:
“Every thought you think and every word you speak is an affirmation. All of your self-talk, your internal dialogue, is a stream of affirmations. You’re using affirmations every moment whether you know it or not. You’re affirming and creating your life experiences with every word and thought.”
Are the thoughts you think and the words you speak throughout your day positive? If not, you may want to start changing your self-talk and internal dialogue.
Thinking or speaking positive affirmations is a powerful yet simple way to condition your mind to an improved perception of your yourself and your life. Affirmations open the door to change and can help you to accomplish goals, change undesirable behaviors, and shift those negative scripts that you repeatedly tell yourself.
Your negative self-talk and limiting beliefs can be influenced more constructively when you redirect them with positive affirmations, and over time, your life will begin to reflect your new beliefs and positive self-talk.
Affirmations are easy to create and use. Here are few tips to use affirmations effectively:
Be Positive – Focus on what you want, and not what you don’t want. For example, instead of saying, “I don’t want to feel anxious anymore,” you would say, “I feel calm and confident.” One of my favorite affirmations to say is, “I am confident in myself and my abilities.” It is simple, positive and to the point.
Use Present Tense – State your affirmations as if it is a fact and you have already received it. Saying, “I will be confident…” keeps your goal in the future. Saying “I am confident…” states that you have it now.
Be Personal – Use the words “I am” in your statements. Such as “I am confident,” “I am intelligent,” “I am creative.” You can also use the words “I have,” such as “I have perfect health” or “I have a beautiful car that suits all me needs.”
Be Specific – General affirmations will work but be more specific if you are dealing with a particular issue. “I share my thoughts and opinions confidently” might be more effective than, “I am confident.”
Feel the Affirmation – The point of affirmations is to move your energy to a better feeling place. Affirmations combined with emotion have a much more powerful impact on moving you vibrationally. Positive words mixed with emotion or feeling will get results; unemotional words have no influence. Say your affirmations with desire, conviction, attention and interest.
Be Creative – Repeating the same affirmations over and over again loses power over time because they tend to lose their momentum. A mixed series of statements is more effective. Think of a variety of ways to say them so you feel it, each one lifting you a little higher. Let your affirmations be free flowing with a steady flow of ideas. Have a positive conversation with yourself through affirmations.
Be Consistent – It takes daily repetition to train your mind to think differently, especially when it comes to long held beliefs. Consistency is important for changes to occur.
Have Faith – You may not yet believe what you are affirming. That’s okay. It may take time so allow yourself to play with the idea that things are changing. Have faith, and in time things will change.
Once you get the momentum going, keep reaching for more. With a bit of practice, positive thinking will become natural for you. Your affirmations can help to move you in the direction of your intentions and then keep you there.
“Doing affirmations is not hard work. It can be a joyous experience as you lift the burden of old negative beliefs and release them back to the nothingness from whence they came.” – Louise Hay
Do you use affirmations? And if so, how have they changed your life? I would love it if you shared your experiences by leaving a comment below.
