Affirmations

Affirmations

“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavour”    

Henry David Thoreau


Affirmations       

   Affirmations are positive statements that you deliberately repeat to yourself until it takes root in the mind.    

  Affirmations 

 
Affirmations should be

·        Personal

·        Positive

·        In the present tense

·        Kept simple and brief

 

The most famous  of all affirmations is probably Emile Coue’s  

            ‘Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better” 

It satisfies all the above rules.

 

Why not try putting affirmations on index cards or stickers in places you are likely to see them.

For example, put affirmations in  your wallet, fridge and in books you look at regularly. 

You can even try using affirmations as passwords!

 


  Links

 

Search with Google for affirmations and you’ll find some gems – plus a lot of junk. 

Here are some  gems:-

 Coping.org Tools for Coping with Life's Stressors has a very good page on affirmations.  

The author’s recommend the following “Affirmation of the day” exercise

                                                 Write a single positive affirmation on thirty 3 x 5 index cards. 

                                          Take one card a day for each day of the month.

    This card is your affirmation for the day. 

     When you get to the last card start again.

 

Emile Coue’s Self Mastery Through Conscious Autosuggestion is available free on-line. 

Coue concludes “We possess within us a force of incalculable power, which, when we handle it unconsciously is often prejudicial to us. If on the contrary we direct it in a conscious and wise manner, it gives us the mastery of ourselves and allows us not only to escape and to aid others to escape, from physical and mental ills, but also to live in relative happiness, whatever the conditions in which we may find ourselves.”

 

 Affirmations for Writers by Nina Lee Braden gives a rational for using affirmations and examples of affirmations useful for writers. “Through the use of affirmations, we can learn to think positively and to develop a healthier self-image and a better attitude towards life” writes Braden. Her affirmations include

I make writing a priority.

I use my time wisely and efficiently 

I find a congenial place to write.

 

Hospice Net provides affirmations designed for those facing death, but which also look pretty appropriate for everyone, including

 

                                    I cherish each moment of my life.
                                    I am not hiding my love from people.
                                    I will become open to new pathways and new relationships.
                                    I am learning.

 

http://www.12steps.org/  say that “As crazy as it [the idea of affirmations] sounds, your brain hears and believes those negative messages and limits your abilities. We've learned to counteract those years of negative with positive affirmations. Their  list  at http://www.12steps.org/Brochure/menubord/AFFIRM.htm includes

I can handle criticism with ease.

I can make things happen.

Today, I will rejoice in my abilities 

                                       I acknowledge my needs.

Visualization and Affirmations for Peak Performance provides some useful guidelines for creating visualisations and affirmations including:-

Phrase affirmations in the most positive way possible. 

“Avoid the use of words like “no”, “don’t”, and “not” in your affirmations. If you are a parent, teacher, administrator or leader of any type, tell people what you want them to do.  Don’t tell them what you don’t want them to do.”

Use as many senses as possible in affirmations and visualizations. 

Make affirmations and visualizations emotional.  

Imagine what it will feel.  Visualize yourself experiencing these emotions. 

 

Mohammad Latiff criticises traditional affirmations as being too unrealistic, and has his own rules – including making affirmations as specific and close to the truth as possible.

 

Carolyn Leighton’s page describes how life-coaching helped her realise the power of affirmations for developing her career.  She suggests visualising your life one year from now in various categories (e.g. career, love) and affirming what you have already achieved. She compares them favourably to new year resolutions.

 



 

 

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© Copyright Tim LeBon 2006 http://www.timlebon.com/affirmations.htm