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The critical key to affirmations

This is the most critical thing I will ever tell you. Because it’s the most powerful.

Affirmations…are just things we say right? But do we believe them? Are they effective?

Affirmations are THE tool for cognitive reframing. The way the brain works is, when we think of something it’s like a small stream. The more we repeat it, the wider and stronger the stream becomes until it’s a raging river. It’s very powerful and we can’t get out of it. And even worse, it doesn’t matter if the thought is correct/valid/true or not. We can’t escape because it’s too powerful.

The way we undo it is by substituting that particular thought pattern with a different one. But, it takes time. I won’t lie to you – it can take a lot of time. And you have to be consistent. 

It works like this: every time that thought comes up, we follow it up with a different one. For example “I’m not good enough” -> “I’m good enough”. The follow up thought (I’m good enough) is the affirmation). The more and more we follow the negative thought with a positive one, the more and more we start diverting that raging river to where we want it to go.

Again, I’m not going to bullshit you – there’s no overnight secret formula. Anyone who tells you there is, is a liar out for your money. It takes time and repetition. But, it’s the ultimate key to your own mind.

Affirmations are the potato chips of the self help world. Everybody’s consuming them and feeling pretty good about it. Cool. Except for one problem.

Nobody’s talking about the fact that affirmations are only effective when based on facts. Here’s what I mean:

If I keep repeating to myself “I am strong”, I don’t honestly believe it. Because I know that I’m just repeating a “thing” in order to feel better about myself. It’s too convoluted and conceptual. There’s nothing real for me to attach it to.

However, if I add the word “because” and use facts from my own life, things become very different. Here’s an example: “I am strong *because* I made it through xyz trauma.” What I’ve done here is give indisputable factual evidence for why I am “strong”. Not only does the affirmation become real, it becomes meaningful. No matter what I think or feel, I *did* make it through that trauma. I really AM strong.

Are you wondering if you’re good enough for a job? Try “I deserve to be here *because* I’ve completed projects A,B,C, etc.” Or, “I’ve received raises, promotions, etc”. Or, “I studied this extensively at school. I may not have the practical experience yet but I know the basics.”

So go ahead and add the “because” to your affirmations. And if your affirmations don’t fit the “becauses” in your life, find affirmations that do. For example, if I say to myself “I’m the greatest sea captain” it’s not going to work. Because I know nothing of captaining a ship. 

“Because”followed by facts from our own lives are the key to affirmations being a powerful tool.

Genuine affirmations are THE tool for substituting negative thought patterns with positive ones. They are THE tool that changes how we see ourselves and our lives. They are THE tool for making positive change and taking control of our circumstances.