It has long been a tenet of the Law of Attraction that using affirmations is an effective way to reprogram the subconscious mind. Most of us tend to think negatively about ourselves and our life situations. Positive affirmations can have a powerful effect that will serve to counteract years of that negative programming. Affirmations serve to open our minds to our truly limitless potential and overcome the “monkey in our minds” with his endless and self-defeating chatter.
This process has helped many people around the world to make significant and life altering changes in their lives.
Affirmations are a conscious effort to either help to eliminate or perhaps create something more positive and productive in your life. As you speak the affirmations out loud, perhaps even while looking in a mirror, you are making declarations to the Universe. This statement is now what you now wish to become the new truth that you will live by.
How does this work?
Affirmations work by repeating a statement over and over again. When we do this our brain is creating new neural pathways and giving them power over the negative viewpoints that we had developed. We are gently prodding the subconscious mind to overcome physical, mental and spiritual beliefs that we may have thought were insurmountable. This constant repetition eventually convinces our mind that these statements are our new truth and as a result, we start to manifest our desired changes.
Affirmation Techniques
There are many different techniques that are used for affirmations.
They include:
- Writing them down
- Speaking them out loud
- Thinking them in your mind
- Recording them and playing them repeatedly
- Having a person close to you say them to you
- Looking in the mirror and saying them out loud
There are probably many more, but you get the idea. The important thing is that you are diligent in using some method that is comfortable for you, and you do it often.
Writing them down is a method that many prefer. You may even want to type them out on your computer and print a copy. This way you don’t have to try to remember all of them and can repeat them with regularity. When you say them, do so with sincerity and conviction. You may feel silly doing this sometime. That is your subconscious mind trying to undermine your efforts at change. Every mind is difficult to change and we all fight it.
Probably one of the most effective techniques is to say your affirmations out loud while looking at yourself in the mirror. Talk about feeling silly? You definitely will at first! Maxwell Maltz, the author of the popular book “Psycho-Cybernetics” (1975) suggested doing this every morning. To overcome feelings of sadness or depression, he suggested that first thing every morning, you look in the mirror, smile broadly, and say “I feel great today!”
He combined the act of smiling with an affirmation, a very powerful and strongly recommended technique. This simple but effective technique was use by many veterans returning from the Viet Nam war to help them overcome feelings of depression and overwhelming sadness. It was wildly successful.
Some Further Thoughts
When you use this method, say your affirmation with conviction, speaking slowly and calmly. Talk to yourself with kindness, like you are talking to a good friend.
It is highly recommended that you use this method. If you feel very uncomfortable doing this, you can just think them in your head, but the “out loud” method is much more effective.
Doing an exercise like this first thing in the morning will set up your day to be more positive and more productive, and it is just a great way to start the day! It is also very effective to be looking in the mirror when you do this. Try it!
Another Method
Another popular way is to record your affirmations so that they replay as you are doing other things, like going for a long walk or working out. With this method, you are not actively listening and concentrating on what is being said, but it is still effective because your subconscious mind is still at work picking up the message being delivered. This is also an effective way to get your affirmations working for you.
Getting a friend or spouse to say your affirmations to you out loud is strangely effective. It seems that when there is someone else involved, there is a commitment level that occurs that is deeper than just doing it yourself. Make sure your partner uses “you” (not “I am”) when reading your personal affirmations.
Suggested Affirmations
Below you will find some suggestions for affirmations. You may well find some very useful, but only you know the issues that you harbor, so creating your own personal ones is the best way. Keep them simple, declarative and use the pronoun “I” to start each one. The experience of repeating them will be relaxing and pressure relieving as you release all the negative baggage that has kept you from becoming all that you can be for so long.
As you say the affirmations, imagine all your limited beliefs that being written on a helium filled balloon. Imagine then letting each of those beliefs drifting away into the distance and disappear. As a result, those old beliefs are now gone, and your affirmations are your new reality.
Here are a few examples:
- I love myself and who I am now
- I have all the ability I need to make positive change
- I deserve prosperity in my life
- I have a great body
- I can do anything I put my mind to do
- I laugh a lot every day
- I create my reality
- I receive unlimited abundance
- I am a money-making machine
- I am worthy of the respect of my peers
- I am smart
- I am capable of succeeding in whatever I try
- I am as important as anyone
- I feel great today
- I have all the capability I need to succeed
- I love and respect my partner in life
- I deserve love
- I attract good people
- I am attractive and like the way I look
Conclusion
It is key that you practice the affirmations you think you need daily. There is a lot of negative programming that has held us all back. Therefore, it takes repeated and concerted effort to finally overcome all of it. The good news is this works, and as a result, you will overcome all that has stopped you from becoming all you can be. Stay focused and motivated! By reprogramming yourself this way, you will become aware of new opportunities that will change your life and allow you to reach all your goals.