Most of us aren’t aware of the majority of our thoughts because our minds are operating on auto pilot. Granted much of our thinking is pointless and has no dramatic affect on our lives but, a large portion of it is negative and self defeating. For most, only a small fraction of those thoughts are nourishing and uplifting.
Not only is our thinking usually on auto pilot but we think the majority of our thoughts over and over again. Our thoughts cause us to feel a certain way and behave in certain ways. They influence people, things, and events. With this in mind it becomes easier to understand why we tend to keep having the same experiences over and over.
We can put an end to this cycle by taking control of our thinking and deliberately choosing better thoughts. Affirmations are one way that enables us to do this.
Science tells us that it is possible to alter the connections in our brains and create new connections. This is why affirmations work; they actually train the mind to think, see, and interpret things in a new way.
TIPS FOR MORE EFFECTIVE AFFIRMATIONS
Doing affirmations is very simple. You can write them, read them, or say them aloud. Some individuals find it easiest to pick one affirmation and focus on it completely for a certain period of time. Others prefer to have more affirmations addressing specific areas of their lives. You choose what feels best for you.
To get you started, here are seven tips to help make your affirmations more effective.
1. You want the affirmation to feel as authentic and realistic as possible, so always use words you would actually use. Also, you want the statement to feel good, so if it doesn’t click, try phrasing it a little differently.
2. State the affirmation as if it is already true. Example: say “I am happy” instead of “I want to be happy.”
3. Keep it simple. Long complicated statements are difficult to retain.
4. If doing more than one affirmation, write them on separate index cards. This enables you to give all of your focus to each individual affirmation. Remember to allow time for the affirmation to sink in. Don’t speed through them.
5. Do them in the morning. Our minds are the most impressionable right after waking.
6. Do them again before bed. The brain does most of its sorting and processing while we sleep.
7. Repeat the affirmation in your mind throughout the day. This helps to reinforce the new belief. You can recite the affirmation while you are waiting in line, washing dishes, or doing any task that does not require a lot of concentration.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
One of the biggest complaints people have regarding affirmations is that they feel “phony.” The reason they feel so ridiculous at first is because our minds are not used to thinking this way. If you keep up with the affirmations, doing them every day regardless of how silly it feels, eventually your mind will have no choice but to accept the affirmations.
Once this happens you will first notice a profound change in your perception and in the way you feel; you may find that you are not doing things or reacting the way you used to. Soon after that things will begin to change on the outer level of your life as well.
The wonderful thing about affirmations is that anyone can do them. You don’t have to purchase an expensive program or course to begin making positive changes in your life. You can begin today with affirmations.
