“Do you believe in affirmations?”
“I’m not a mirror-talker,” I reply.
But if I was to be honest, I’m full of affirmations. Especially in the shower and kitchen.
Some of my favorites?
“Don’t Worry Be Happy,” by Bobby McFarron.
“Just Do It.” Big thumbs up to Nike for that one!
“Keep going…you’re almost there!” How many times have I whispered these? Maybe a billion?
Why?
Because affirmations are clinically proven to be effective. Psychologists utilize them to help clients make significant and positive changes in themselves or their lives.
Popular affirmations used by Psychologists.
1. I am a good person who deserves to be happy.
2. I have confidence in my abilities.
3. I am comfortable being myself.
“I am” affirmations help Athletes to improve their performance.
1. I am the fastest.
2. I am the toughest.
3. I am a world champion.
(Mohamad Ali was quoted as saying, “’I am the greatest’. I told myself that even before I knew I was.”
Favorites for Entrepreneurs:
1. I will be successful.
2. My success or failures do not define me. They grow me.
3. I have confidence in my abilities.
Aspiring businessmen and women use affirmations like coffee.
Suze Orman wrote the following phrase and said it to herself 25 times a day. “I am young, powerful, successful, and producing at least $10,000 a month.”
And a few months later, it was true.
Are affirmations magical?
No. Their purpose is to train our minds to think positively. To create a productive mindset that gives the energy and focus we need to achieve our goals.
Ronald Alexander, Ph.D., states that affirmations work because our brains can be trained to believe a spoken concept…
“This is because the mind doesn’t know the difference
between what is real or fantasy. When you watch a
movie and you start to laugh or cry your mind is
empathizing with the characters on the screen even
though it is only Hollywood magic.”
Should I try affirmations?”, you may ask.
Well that’s up to you.
But you know what they did for Mohammad Ali…
And for Suze Orman…
So here’s a list of affirmations to get you started. They’re based on quotes of famous people who used them as inspiring words to live by.
1. Don’t let others bring you down. You’re great!
(Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. -Eleanor Roosevelt)
2. I’m effective at whatever I do!
(Whatever you are, be a good one. -Abraham Lincoln)
3. Action is the key to success!
(Action is the foundation key to all success. -Pablo Picasso)
4. I will keep visualizing my goal!
(If you dream it, you can do it. –Walt Disney)
5. I don’t regret the past, I learn from it!
(Don’t regret the past, just learn from it. –Ben Ipock)
6. I’m the best because I can handle the worst!
(To be the best, you must be able to handle the worst. –Wilson Kanadi)
7. I believe it- so I’m halfway there!
(Believe you can and you’re halfway there. –Theodore Roosevelt)
8. I will live what I love!
(Live what you love. –Jo Deurbrouck)
9. Obstacles are my stepping stones!
(An obstacle is often a stepping stone. –Prescott Bush)
10. Mistakes make me stronger and wiser!
(Turn your wounds into wisdom. –Oprah Winfrey)
Nice post Thank you 🙂
Affirmations can work great to improve your mood and your self-esteem. I also use them when I need some motivation. There are some great proposals there which I shall remember when needed.
I’m glad Dorit. I have some favorites of my own too.
Affirmations are essential, I complete my daily affirmations every morning and it sets my day on a positive note.
I agree Evelyn.For me it’s a focus thing. It can also be a real confidence booster!
This is something I have really been practicing for the last few months. A lot of work goes into it.
Thanks for commenting Sara! It doesn’t need to be a completely conscious thing, just reminding yourself a few times through the day, or during tough times, help a lot.
I am a big believer that both negative self talk and positive affirmations are extremely powerful. They shape our day and the person we become. This is a great list to help anyone get started!
Glad to know I’m not the only ‘affirmation’ pusher. By the way, I love your blog Nicole. You have great life-hacks too!
Positive affirmations are extremely important. I definitely need to do these more often with everyone in my life. Thank you for the encouragement.
You’re welcome Brittany. To me, it’s the fact that they help your mind-set. You stay focused and positive. It backs down our negative self-talk.
Thank you for this inspirational post! I believe in the power of affirmations and motivate myself using them.
You’re welcome Misspector. Thanks for sharing your experience to help others.
I like to use affirmations (mostly in the form of motivating songs) at the gym. They really do help me push myself to do my best!
Ann, me too! I say ‘just do it’ to get me off my chair and moving, like all the time.
“I’m awesome!” Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother)- I used to say that all of the time and I truly believed it. I don’t know why I stopped saying it. Maybe I need to start up again. Thanks for this post, it really gives me a lot to think about!
Brittany, lol. Yes! Get back to telling yourself you’re awesome. I have no doubt that you are!
I need to start doing this more often. I need to stop listening to the negative voice and say these positive sayings.
Tara! I really hope you do. You’re a great travel blogger. So yes! Stop listening to the negative self-talk. Can’t wait for your next post.
Tara, I really hope you do. People who stay positive have a lot more fun as they accomplish things. Sometimes we just don’t realize our own self worth. Its good to remind ourselves, like a friend, that we can accomplish things.
Thanks for such a great post. I am a firm believer of positive affirmations and they do wonder to uplift your spirit. Affirmations can bring you out from your own devastating thoughts. Thanks for sharing.
Me too Gursimrat! I’m glad to hear they work for you. That was a very powerful statement ‘bring you our of your own devastating thoughts’. They are a vital key in that process, aren’t they..Thank YOU for sharing that point.