What are Positive Affirmations?
I remember watching the movie “The Devil Wears Prada” for the very first time. Being in fashion, I adored this movie immensely. When Emily repeated to herself, “I love my job. I love my job. I love my job.” something inside me took notice. She was using the power of positive affirmations to convince herself she loved something she really didn’t. So I thought to myself, “Does this really work, and is it something I should be doing?”
Now, I’ve never been one for self-doubt. I believe in manifestation wholeheartedly. If there were a way to succeed, I would find it eventually. So I said to myself, “This can really benefit me.” “I love my job.” was just the beginning. Since that first realization, I have been using positive affirmations to retrain my thinking into what I want to create. I must admit, after Eric died, it was hard to put anything positive into words, much less try and believe an affirmation; however, after some time, I did find myself using them again, only this time in a much more controlled way, as I’ll explain later.
Positive affirmations are a powerful tool for improving your mindset and achieving your goals. Whereas repeating positive statements to yourself, you can shift your thoughts and beliefs, leading to a more positive outlook on life. In this article, we will explore the science behind affirmations, their benefits, and how to create and use them effectively.
How Positive Affirmations Work
The science behind affirmations is based on the idea that the thoughts and beliefs we hold about ourselves and the world around us can have a powerful impact on our reality.* Neuroplasticity, according to Moheb Costandi writes in his book titled of the same name, is the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization. It occurs when the brain is rewired to function in some way that differs from how it previously functioned. When we repeat positive statements to ourselves, we are programming our subconscious mind to believe and act according to those statements.
“The perfect moment is this one,”
Kabat-Zinn, author of Mindfulness, said.
The Power of the Subconscious Mind
Our subconscious mind is responsible for much of our behavior and decision-making, even when we are not consciously aware of it. By using positive affirmations, we can tap into the power of our subconscious mind and reprogram it to support our goals and aspirations.
Some of the Benefits
We can get a lot of benefits from positive affirmations. Here are just a few examples:
Improved Self-Esteem and Confidence: By repeating positive statements about yourself, you can boost your self-esteem and confidence, leading to a more positive self-image. One of my favorites for this is I always tell myself, “If someone else has done it, I can do it also because they are no better than I am, and in fact, I am better at doing _________than them.” Of course, in reality, I may not be anywhere near someone else’s talent in this particular scenario, but that doesn’t mean I can’t tell myself that I am to achieve my desired goal.
Reduction in Stress and Anxiety: By focusing on positive thoughts and beliefs, you can reduce the negative effects of stress and anxiety on your mind and body.
Better Relationships and Communication: By cultivating a positive mindset, you can improve your relationships with others and communicate more effectively.
Increased Motivation and Productivity: Focusing on your goals and aspirations can increase your motivation and productivity, leading to greater success in all areas of your life. I have a good one I use here as well. When a personal or professional task seems particularly daunting, I break it up in my head as to how much time it will take to complete. I focus on that and nothing else. It gets me in the zone, so to speak, and then I tell myself, “After this, I won’t have to think about this task anymore, and it will be completed. I will feel accomplished, and the stress of completing _____ will disappear.”
“I ACCEPT MYSELF EXACTLY AS I AM WITHOUT JUDGEMENT.”
–Unknown
Types of Positive Affirmations
As I discussed in the last paragraph, just as there are many benefits of affirmations, there are also many types of positive affirmations. Each is designed to address a specific area of your life. Here are a few examples:
Affirmations for Self-Love and Self-Acceptance could look like: “I am worthy of love and respect.” I tend to stay in the present with this one. Mindfulness helps address expectations when I am not exactly where I want to be physically, so I focus on what I can change today to make me love myself more. “I accept myself exactly as I am today.”
Affirmations for Career Success: “I am capable and confident in my abilities.” “I am successful and a leader in my career.” I’ve used these a lot.
Affirmations for Health and Wellness: I struggled with this one after becoming a widow because, honestly, I didn’t care anymore. While I am still healing and moving through grief, I’ve learned to be a little more compassionate with myself. I break these into smaller, more believable parts for myself. Whereas someone else may say, “I am healthy and strong.” Instead, I say to myself, “I am here, and I will get through today as best I can.” (To read more about my journey click here.)
Creating and Using Positive Affirmations
To create your own effective, positive affirmations, follow these tips:
Be Specific: Your affirmations should be specific and tailored to your goals and aspirations.
Use Positive Language: Your affirmations should be framed in positive language, focusing on what you want to achieve rather than what you want to avoid.
Repeat Daily: Consistency is key when using affirmations. Repeat your affirmations often and throughout your day. Mornings are when your mind is most receptive, so be sure to say them then.
Avoid Common Mistakes
When using positive affirmations, be sure to avoid common mistakes like
negative self-talk and self-doubt: Be mindful of these as they can undermine the power of your affirmations. Lack of consistency and follow-through can sabotage the best efforts. To see results from your affirmations, you must be consistent with your daily practice. If you need a reminder, write them on a post-it and put them in a visible place at work or home.
Conclusion
I hope I’ve convinced you of the power of positive affirmations and how they can impact your life. If you practice them regularly, positive affirmations can help improve your mindset and help you achieve your goals. By understanding the science behind affirmations, selecting the right types of affirmations, and using them consistently, you can shift your thoughts and beliefs, leading to a more positive outlook on life and greater success in all areas of your life.
Thanks for reading. –xxooC
*(Powerful Affirmations for Mindfulness Practice. www.talentmagnet.com/blog/powerful-affirmations-for-mindfulness-practice.)
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