How to Use Affirmations

Affirmations are positive statements. When you use affirmations, you are using positive self-talk. Everyone is familiar with the constant chatter that goes on inside our heads. Some of that chatter is positive and some is negative. There are times when we want to do something but that little voice inside our heads prevents us from going forward because it makes us doubt. Positive affirmations can help us to overcome that little voice and have confidence in ourselves. If you've gone on throughout your life focusing on financial lack and inadequacy, using statements like "I can't," then you've been practicing negative self-talk. It can be difficult to turn negative self-talk into positive self-talk but it's not impossible. It just takes time and practice. By making positive affirmations a part of your daily routine you can change your attitude and your life for the better.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Positive attitude
• Pen
• Paper

How to Improve Your Life with Affirmations

1. Make a list of affirmations that you will use on a regular basis. These affirmations can be general or specific. Think about what you would like to change about yourself or what areas of your life you want to improve. For example, if you have difficulty losing weight and keeping it off, you could affirm "I am now able to maintain my ideal weight."

2. State affirmations in the present tense. Instead of saying "I will be successful," affirm that you are already successful by stating "I am successful."

3. Choose affirmations that are brief and to the point such as "I am healthy in all ways," or "I am calm at all times." It is easier to remember short statements and they impress upon your subsconcious mind more easily.

4. Put emotion into your affirmations. It will do you no good to walk around each day affirming that you are happy if your emotional state declares that you are miserable. Suspend all negativity when stating positive affirmations. Even if you are miserable--allow yourself to feel the emotion of happiness--at least temporarily--while you are affirming that you are happy. Once you are able to feel and affirm happiness, you will become happy.

5. Write your affirmations down. Write them on sticky notes or index cards and tape them to the bathroom mirror, the refrigerator, computer desk or anywhere else that would be appropriate. The act of writing positive statements is also an act of affirming, just as well as saying them aloud or repeating them silently. You can keep a growing list of positive affirmations in a journal or spiral notebook.

6. Repeat your positive affirmations daily. You can do this silently or aloud at any time of the day. Stating positive affirmations is particularly effective when said first thing in the morning, after waking, and at night before going to sleep. At these times the consious mind is still somewhat suppressed allowing the affirmations to be absorbed by the subsconscious.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't give up if changes don't happen as quickly as you expected. It takes time and practice to develop positive self-talk. Practice positive affirmations daily and combine your affirmations with visualization techniques. With effort and patience you will begin to see your desired effects take place.