Today, I want to delve into the fascinating world of affirmations and share valuable insights on how to write affirmations and practice them effectively.
Affirmations are the easiest and simplest technique I know of to influence and affect how you think. Affirmations have been used for centuries throughout the world in such spiritual and magical practices as prayers and mantras. Now they are being used by people from all walks of life to close business deals, heal ailments, meet people, win tournaments, and in countless other applications.
Affirmations are a powerful tool that can help you harness the immense potential of your mind, transform your beliefs, and manifest positive changes in your life.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
What Are Affirmations and How Do They Work?
At its core, an affirmation is a positive statement that reflects your desired reality. It is a simple phrase or sentence you repeat to yourself (silently or aloud), a declaration of intent that harnesses the power of repetition and conviction to reprogram your subconscious mind.
Affirmations allow you to replace negative or limiting beliefs with empowering thoughts, thereby creating a fertile ground for creating a new reality.
You can practice affirmations anywhere: in your car while you’re driving, sitting in a doctor’s office waiting for an appointment, or lying in bed before you go to sleep. You simply decide upon a statement that represents what you want to have happen to you, and you repeat it to yourself over and over again.
How to Write Affirmations
1. Use Positive Language
Phrase your affirmations in a positive and empowering manner. Focus on what you want to achieve, rather than what you want to avoid.
For example, instead of saying, “I am not afraid of public speaking,” rephrase it as “I am confident and express myself well in front of any audience.” This shift in wording channels your intentions towards embracing confidence, allowing your self-assured demeanor to shine when addressing any audience.
Remember, the energy of your affirmations aligns with the direction you steer your thoughts, paving the way for your aspirations to flourish.
2. Use the Present Tense
Use the present tense, as if you have already achieved your desired outcome. For instance, say, “I am successful in my career,” instead of “I will be successful in my career.”
When you are doing affirmations, you are influencing the thoughts that occur in your mind. Your mind can hold only one thought at a time, so an affirmation works by “filling” your mind with thoughts that support your goal. The words suggest to the mind what it should be thinking.
If you’re affirming to yourself, “It’s going to be a great meeting,” your mind will quite naturally begin thinking related thoughts about having a great meeting. Your mind effortlessly picks up the implications and message of your affirmation.
It sounds very simple, but this technique can be remarkably effective in helping you gain the results you want.
3. Be Specific
State your affirmations with precision and clarity. The subconscious mind loves details. It thrives on clear instructions. The more vivid and detailed your affirmation, the bigger its imprint on your subconscious. As you write your affirmations, play around with words, find the ones that resonate most with you.
Instead of saying, “I am successful,” try something like, “I confidently close important deals and watch my career soar.”
The subconscious mind communicates in images and sounds, so paint your affirmations with metaphors, sprinkle them with sensory words, and let them create a vibrant tapestry in your mind. This way, your affirmations become like clear beacons, guiding your subconscious toward the reality you desire.
4. Keep It Short
You will also want to keep your affirmation short.
An affirmation should be like a mantra: short and simple, easy to say, and easy to repeat. I like to keep my affirmations to ten words or less. Sometimes even two words can be very effective: “tremendous success” or “record sales.”
I have had people show me affirmations that were half a page long. There’s no way you can say an affirmation that long repeatedly. Plus, the subconscious picks up on simple statements easier than a long dissertation. It might be good for you to understand what you want in a long statement, but when imprinting on the subconscious, it is better to keep the statement short and to the point. Even two sentences is too long.
For those people who do have long affirmations, I might suggest you break them up into a few different affirmations. Remember keep affirmations short and simple so the subconscious can pick up on it.
Repetition is what will imprint your affirmation into your subconscious, so the shorter the better. Make it short, make it rhythmic, make it easy to say.
5. Invoke Emotions
Infuse your affirmations with emotions to make them more impactful. Feel the joy, gratitude, and enthusiasm as you repeat your affirmations.
Emotions add intensity and conviction to your affirmations, aiding in the manifestation process. When you attach emotions to the affirmations, your subconscious mind will accept the affirmation as reality. How is this possible, you ask? Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret.
The subconscious mind can’t tell the difference between what is real and what isn’t.
That’s why attaching emotion to your affirmations is so powerful. The moment you attach emotions, your subconscious mind will think and believe your affirmation actually happened because you felt that emotional reaction.
Use this secret of the subconscious to your advantage.
How to Practice Affirmations
Create a Routine
Repetition is key when it comes to affirmations. Consistently repeating your affirmations daily helps embed them into your subconscious mind.
To that end, turn reciting your affirmations into a habit by inserting them into your daily routine. Dedicate a specific time and place for your affirmation practice. It could be early morning, before bed, or during your meditation/contemplation time.
The routine will help integrate affirmations into your daily life effortlessly.
Explore Different Techniques
A common question is whether it is better to say or write affirmations. The answer is different for different people.
Explore different techniques to enhance the impact of your affirmations. You could write them, record and listen to them, visualize while reciting them, or use affirmation cards. One of my personal favorite ways is to make a song out of the affirmation. Find what resonates with you and make it a part of your routine.
The same technique may not always work. I’ve worked with numerous people in the past where they would tell me they tried to do the same thing even though they’ve changed or evolved as a person. As the seasons change, so do people. Remember to be open to trying out new techniques as it may actually enhance your affirmation practice.
Maybe you’re not enjoying reciting affirmations out loud anymore and would rather write them in your journal instead.
Believe in the Process
Trust the process and have faith in the power of affirmations. Even if results don’t come instantaneously, persist in your practice. Consistency and belief are essential ingredients for success.
Affirmations can yield powerful results but they require patience and time. The process of reprogramming your mind persistence.
Trust that the right timing for your desired outcomes will unfold in due course.
And remember that life is 90% how you perceive it and 10% of it is life’s unexplainable mysteries. If something happens in your life where you feel it’s unexplainable, something that unsettles you, or anything of the sort, affirm that statement to yourself. It’s that humbling reminder that yes, you can do your Mind Power exercises and take ownership and control over your thoughts.
However, sometimes unexplainable things happen to us and it’s OK to accept it without needing to know the who, what, when, where and why.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to believe the affirmation for it to work?
No, you don’t have to believe your affirmation. In fact, anyone who’s ever been unsuccessful in using affirmations has probably been trying to force themselves to do just that. This mistake can actually nullify the effects of the affirmation.
Don’t worry about believing, just keep repeating. If you do believe what you are affirming, great! If you don’t believe it, that’s fine too. It doesn’t matter. The conscious mind will quite naturally pick up the content of whatever you are affirming, and the affirmation will seep into your consciousness. Don’t force anything.
How many times to say or write affirmations?
There’s no hard and fast rule, but here’s an undeniable truth: the more you repeat your affirmations, the more they sink in and become a part of your belief system. As I always say, practice makes permanent.
In my Mind Power training, I recommend people dedicate at least 5 minutes a day to saying, writing, or thinking their affirmations.
And remember, it’s not just about quantity, but quality too. When you repeat your affirmations, do it with intention and infuse them with emotion. Feel the words as if they were already true. That’s where the real magic happens.
What’s the best time to write affirmations?
The best time to write and engage with your affirmations is in the morning and before bed. Why, you ask? Well, in the morning, your mind is like fresh soil, ready to plant those positive seeds for the day ahead. And at night, as you drift into slumber, your subconscious mind is more receptive to the affirmations, letting them take root deep within your psyche.
This said, consistency is key. Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, find the time that resonates with you and make writing and saying your affirmations a habit.
Does every affirmation start with “I am”?
Starting your affirmations with “I am” is a powerful way to declare your intentions. When you say “I am,” you’re sending a clear message to your subconscious mind. It’s like planting a seed of positivity that can grow into a wonderful reality. So yes, beginning your affirmations with “I am” is a fantastic way to harness the energy of your thoughts and shape your reality.
However, there are other ways to craft powerful statements that can bring positive change into your life. For instance:
- “Abundance flows effortlessly into my life.”
- “I radiate positivity and attract good people.”
- “Success is my natural state of being.”
See, the key is to make your affirmations personal, positive, and present-tense. This way, you’re tuning your mind to the frequency of what you desire, and that’s what helps bring those desired changes into your life.
Negative Affirmations: Overcoming Resistance and Self-Doubt
Your subconscious mind may resist new beliefs, especially if they contradict deeply ingrained patterns. Label this part of you.
In my 6 week Mind Power training, I call the mind “The Great Trickster”. Your mind will trick you into believing that “you don’t need to do this” or “it doesn’t work” or “this is witchcraft; some sort of fairy tale”. You name it.
Combat self-doubt by acknowledging your progress, focusing on small wins, and reaffirming your commitment to personal growth.
When negative thoughts infiltrate your mind, consciously counteract them by repeating positive affirmations. Replace self-criticism with self-compassion and remind yourself of your inherent worthiness.
Also be careful that you don’t use affirmations against yourself without realizing it:
- ”I’ll never get it done”
- “I’ll never do it”
- “It’s impossible”
- “I’m blowing it”
- “I’m a disaster at relationships”
- “I know I’m going to make a mistake”
- “I’m always losing”
These are all affirmations that you can find yourself repeating to yourself without even realizing it. Watch out for them.
25 Examples of Affirmations
Affirmations should be personalized to your unique goals and aspirations, but here are 25 examples to inspire your own.
Affirmations for money
- “I attract abundant opportunities and wealth.”
- “Every day, I take actions that lead me to financial success.”
- “Money flows effortlessly into my life.”
- “I am worthy of financial abundance and prosperity.”
- “I make wise choices that multiply my money and create lasting wealth.”
Affirmations for love and relationships
- “I attract people who respect and appreciate me for who I am.”
- “I am open to giving and receiving love in all its beautiful forms.”
- “Love and positivity radiate from me.”
- “I am ready to welcome a partner who cherishes and respects me.”
- “I communicate openly and honestly.”
Affirmations for success
- “I am fully capable of achieving my goals and dreams.”
- “Success is my natural state.”
- “Challenges are opportunities in disguise.”
- “I am focused, determined, and unstoppable in the pursuit of my goals.”
- “Each day, I take actions that lead me closer to my version of success.”
Affirmations for weight loss
- “I nourish my body and make healthy choices.”
- “My body is becoming stronger, leaner, and healthier every day.”
- “I am in control of my eating habits.”
- “I deserve to look great and achieve my weight loss goals.”
- “I live a balanced and energizing lifestyle.”
Affirmations for work
- “I am capable and confident in my skills and bring value to my job.”
- “Each day, I grow professionally and seize opportunities for advancement.”
- “I create a harmonious and productive work environment.”
- “I am a valuable asset to my team and bring my best to every task.”
- “I am deserving of a job that fulfills and challenges me in positive ways.”
Conclusion
By understanding the essence of affirmations, writing them thoughtfully, and practicing them consistently, you unlock the power to reshape your beliefs and manifest positive changes in your life.
Remember, affirmations are not mere wishful thinking; they are a catalyst for personal transformation. Embrace them wholeheartedly, stay committed to your practice, and witness the miracles they can bring to your life.
Your journey towards self-discovery and empowerment begins now!
