Creating Affirmations in 9 Simple Steps + How
Hey Guys,
I’m currently going through a great eight week program with some guys where we keep each other in check with our weekly goals - Its been a rewarding experience and it allows me to share what I know plus learn a lot from them.
If there are some changes you want to make in your life, sometimes the best way to make that change happen is to change the way you think.
Affirmations work!
I’m going to go through 9 steps of how to write an effective affirmation statement. The book I got this from is called Success Principles by Jack Canfield. It’s a brilliant book that I suggest picking up!
Here are the 9 guidelines:
- Start with the word ‘I am’. The subconscious mind takes any sentence with the word ‘I am’ and interprets it as a command - a powerful directive to make it happen
- Use the present tense. Describe what you want as though you already have it, as though it is already accomplished. (Example: I am going to get into shape. Better: I am fit, strong and powerful)
- State it in the positive. Affirm what you want, not what you don’t want. The unconscious mind does not hear the word no. This means that the statement “Don’t slam the door” is heard as “Slam the door”, this is because our unconscious mind thinks in pictures, so those words will evoke an image of the door slamming. Better example is “I will close the door quietly each and every time”.
- Keep it brief. Think of your affirmation as an advertising jingle - act as if each word costs $1,000. Being short allows it to be easily remembered & memorable.
- Make it specific. Vague affirmations produce vague results. (Example: I am driving a red new car. Better: I am driving a new red Porsche 911 Carrera)
- Include an action with the word ending with -ing. The active verb adds power to the effect by evoking an image of doing it right now. (Example: I express myself openly & honestly. Better: I am confidently expressing myself openly & honestly)
- Include at least one dynamic emotion or feeling word. Include the emotional state you would be feeling if you had already achieved the goal. (Example: I am maintaining my perfect body weight of 178 lbs. Better: I am feeling agile and great at 178!)
- Make affirmations for yourself & not others. Make sure they describe your behaviour and not others. You’re only in control of yourself at the end of the day! (Example: I am watching Johnny clean up his room. Better: I am calmly communicating my needs & desires to Johnny)
- Add ‘or something better’. If you have affirmations around a specific situation (better job, opportunity, relationship, etc), always add the words “or something better”. Sometimes there is something better for us that’s out of our current awareness, include this phrase when you can, so you leave your options open to improvement. (Better: I am enjoying living in my beautiful beachfront villa in Maui or somewhere better)
Now that you know how to create affirmations, how can you take them to the next level and apply them better?
Visualizations!
Use visualizations to lock the affirmation in your subconscious. It’s proven that emotion helps lock things in our memory better, here are some tips:
- Visualize what you would like to see as if your affirmation came true. Place yourself inside the movie that’s playing and see things happening through your own eyes. Ex. If you want a car, see the world from inside your car as you are driving - take a real test drive if you need the inspiration
- Hear the sounds you would be hearing if you had already achieved your affirmation.
- Feel the feeling you want to feel after you have created what you want - stronger feelings make this more powerful.
- Remember to review your affirmations daily. Best times are morning, noon and bedtime. The more you practice, the more it will lock in.
- Read them aloud if that helps you get into them and visualize them!
- Post pictures of your completed affirmations around the house - I’ve created vision boards in the past that have really inspired me.
Hope you like and good luck! :)
Rup
