Affecting Positive Results Through Affirmations
Last time we talked about how to begin building the mind's
powerful framework for success. The lesson we needed to learn
was that self-talk has a powerful affect on the results we
achieve. We learned that the mind will manifest whatever we
dwell on, be it negative or positive.
This week, I would like to continue with our discussion of
self-talk and suggest how you may supercharge your self-talk and
the results you achieve through the use of affirmations.
Affirmations are a powerful mental programming technique that
are underutilized and laughed at by many. You may remember the
Saturday Night Live skit with Stuart Smiley sitting in front of
the mirror saying "I'm good enough; I'm smart enough and
doggone-it, people like me!" The image of this character makes
one laugh, however when understood in the context of how
powerful Stuart's technique really is, it shouldn't!
Affirm means to "make firm." So affirmation simply means to make
a strong statement that something is already so. We know that we
will eventually reap whatever our conscious mind sows onto the
field of the subconscious. So through affirmations we will
develop into whatever image of ourselves we create, be it good
or bad. I suggest using positive affirmations to develop into
all that you desire to be!
One of the most poignant examples of the power of affirmations
comes from the boxing legend Muhammed Ali. When you think of
Muhammed Ali, what vision comes to mind? Actually, two visions
come to my mind:
The first is of Ali standing in the ring over a defeated
opponent with a sweat covered face, surrounded by his trainers.
Ali yells, "I'm the king of the world, I am the greatest, I'm
Muhammed Ali. I shook up the world, I am the greatest, I'm king
of the world. I'm pretty, I'm pretty, I'm a baaaad man, you
heard me, I'm a baaad man."
The second is of Ali wrapped in his boxing robe, dancing from
side to side before a bout. He exclaims, "Float like a
butterfly, sting like a bee." Is this simply brash talk from yet
another cocky athlete? I don't believe so. I believe that
Muhammed Ali knew the power of affirmations. He spoke what he
wanted to be, and as a result became it.
For the purposes of improving yourself and achieving the
successes you've always desired, I want you to take it on faith
that affirmations DO work. Give it a try, if only for a couple
months and then make up your mind whether to keep using them.
In order to do this, you will need to know some basics about how
to get the most out of affirmations. First, the subconscious
mind does not understand the future tense. When you use
affirmations, you should always speak of the present. The past
does work but not nearly as well. Speak as if the things you
want are happening in your life right now. For example, if your
goal is to become the manager of a division you currently work
in, you need to picture it now:
"I am enjoying the title and responsibility of being manager for
the ABC Division of XYZ Company and am doing successful and
important work. I am being recognized by my peers and my
employer for my good and honorable efforts."
The affirmations need to be positive and personal! You should
usually start your statement with "I." The affirmation should be
specific. Tell your mind exactly what it is that you want and
you will get better results.
The affirmation should also be short, easy to remember, and easy
to apply.
Finally, your affirmation should be emotionally intense! Don't
just say it, BELIEVE IT. Shout it at the top of your lungs if
you must, but convince your mind, no matter how hard, that it is
actually true. This is so important! Your success in using
affirmations will live or die on how intensely you can get your
mind to buy into your spoken words.
I believe that you should write down and repeat your
affirmations at least twice a day. I recommend that you do it as
soon as you wake up and right before you go to bed. Your
assignment for the next two weeks is to write down five
affirmations that you want in your life. Repeat them, at least
twice a day, for two weeks. If you do so, I believe that you
will be quickly on the path to achieving the success you desire.
To Your Success, Joel
_______________________________________ Joel S. Nelson operates
Harvest Mind Enterprises, an operation targeted to individuals
interested in developing personally by harvesting the power of
the subconscious mind. For more articles on the topic, go to
http://www.harvestyourmind.com/newsletter.html