Many self-help teachers teach how powerful affirmations can shift your mindset. Instead of staying stuck in a sea of negative thoughts, changing your thinking to a more positive attitude is possible. When we choose to take control of our minds, we can change our outlook and perspective on life and begin to make more positive choices.
I started using positive affirmations a few years ago. I began listening to a recording of positive phrases right before falling asleep. I was amazed, over time, my thought patterns shifted from negative thinking to more positive.
What Are Positive Affirmations?
Positive affirmations are repetitive statements or phrases that alter the conscious and subconscious mind. A person will write a statement that they wish to be or become true to create a positive affirmation. This statement could be the fulfillment of a dream an accomplishment or another upgrade of ideas or circumstances.
A positive affirmation allows us to repeat a new idea in our heads so we become accustomed to the idea as our new truth. When we say a statement aloud or repeat it silently in the mind, our body and mind begin to believe it as true, even if it hasn’t happened yet. When we use a positive affirmation, we can shift our self-talk and improve our self-awareness. We can use positive affirmations to get through various difficult situations and scenarios.
What are the Most Common Misconceptions About Positive Affirmations?
One of the most common misconceptions about positive affirmations is they don’t work. Many people don’t realize that you are using affirmations daily and don’t even know it. Not all affirmations are positive, for example, think about the messages that are part of your regular self-talk. Do you have kind, encouraging self-talk or does your inner critic dominate with harsh words and criticism? Many of your messages were seeded in your childhood. Were you encouraged or supported to give it your best shot or were you told you were lazy and no good? Those messages are still affecting your current mindset.
Whether you have negative or positive thoughts running through your mind, those thoughts and beliefs shape who you are and your reality today. If you are constantly telling yourself negative thoughts, such as, ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘I’m not smart enough’, these statements can discourage you from stepping into your full potential. If you keep telling yourself ‘I am not good at public speaking’ then you will always feel uncomfortable giving it your all.
Why is Using Positive Affirmations Important?
There are many benefits to using positive affirmations to improve our lives. Positive affirmations can help us live as the best version of ourselves by improving our capability and our confidence. Positive affirmations can be used to make a good impression on others and to enhance our professionalism and our socialization.
We might tell ourselves that we are attracting the perfect partners in business or affirm that we are performing well at work and our boss is taking notice. We can affirm that we are acting with confidence and that we are prepared smart and perfect for a particular job. Any affirmation of choice can be beneficial in boosting confidence in performance.
Additionally, affirmations can improve relationships with others, because as we become more confident, we free up space to be creative. Positive affirmations create an idea of success so we can be open to trying new things. When we are open to new ideas, we can begin to broaden our idea of possibilities and can experience fresh ideas and exciting outcomes.
How to Get Started with Using Positive Affirmations?
The first step to getting started with positive affirmations is to create a statement or phrase to use as an affirmation. If you have trouble, begin by choosing an area of your life you would like to improve or change. Below are 4 basic rules you can use to get started:
1. Face Your Negative Thoughts
Now is the time to identify and confront those negative beliefs that are holding you back. What are the messages that have stuck with you since childhood? Some of the most common ones are that you’re not smart enough, or you’ve never been good at math/writing/public speaking/standing up for yourself. Or the sucker punch of ‘I always mess things up.’ These beliefs make you feel bad, and it’s time to look them in the eye and tell them to take a hike.
2. Write Down Your Set of Negative Beliefs
Once you have worked out your negative mindset script, be brave, and write them all down, even the ones that make you squirm. Writing them down gets them out of your head and into the cold light of day.
This may not feel good, but it will feel so much better when those words are out of your head. Keep going even if it hurts! Now you’re ready for the fun part.
3. Make Your List of Opposites
This step will feel a whole lot better. Take each negative belief and write down the opposite belief in the second column of your paper. And make sure that you make it a positive statement. Do not write “I am not good at math’; instead, frame it as a positive “I can do math,’ or whatever positive statement works for you. If this feels too hard, you can start with something softer like ‘I am open to being good at math.”
Make your positive statement as strong as possible.
4. Rinse and Repeat
The power of affirmations is becoming embedded deep in your mind. And the best way to do that is to repeat them over every day until your affirmations become part of your mindset.
Say them out loud in front of a mirror every day. Make it part of your routine, like brushing your teeth. Soon those affirmations will be beliefs that build you up.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Last thing You Need To Know About Positive Affirmations
When we have practiced affirmations enough times, it will become second nature to our body and mind that the belief will become true. Many self-help teachers have taught affirmations throughout the years as a practice in mindfulness and meditation.
It is a simple practice that has been proven to be effective over thousands of years and will undoubtedly change your perspective if you give it a chance.