Build a stable mindset using optimistic self-talk

Do you ever find recurring thoughts that do not feel productive or as though they are enhancing your sense of peace? Have you been stuck in a cycle of beliefs that don’t serve your highest good? Have you ever tried using affirmations to tackle the blockage of subconscious brain activity that could be causing restlessness and discontent?

The power of affirmations is growing in credence. For years, top coach Tony Robbins has purported the benefit of the mantra, “Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better”. This is a positive self-statement – also called an incantation – that was devised by early 20th century psychologist Emile Coue, a pioneer in the realm of ‘self-autosuggestion’ or ‘optimistic self-talk’.

It is becoming more widely acknowledged that our thoughts shape our reality, in particular, that our present self-image impacts our future reality. Legendary chat show host and spiritual media mogul Oprah Winfrey says, “You are what you are by what you believe”. Best-selling conscious novelist Paulo Coelho says, “You are what you believe yourself to be”. Anita Moorjani – author of Dying to be Me – says, “Whatever you believe, you will find that you are correct. The Universe has a way of presenting to you exactly what you believe ”.

An affirmation is technically ‘anything you say or think’. That is to say, all of our self-talk and internal dialogue is a stream of affirmations, and we are using them every moment, whether we know it or not. These affirmations become beliefs – which are habitual thinking patterns we learned as children. Just because we have believed something about ourselves does not mean there is any truth to it. To make affirmations work, self-limiting phrases like, “I’m too fat” become “I honor my body and take good care of it”. “I’m not good enough” becomes, “I am in the process of positive change, and I deserve the best”. “I hate my body” becomes, “Ilove and appreciate my body ”(1). In this sense you are using positive self-statements to change personal belief systems and destructive self concepts (2).

The science is growing too. Affirmations have been demonstrated to improve problem solving, protect self-image and buffer against stress response (3) while proving to be particularly effective when composed of words linked with specific values ​​deemed important to the individual, which in turn build self-esteem (4). Focusing on character strengths helps to safeguard against negative effects of stress, creates a more positive future focus and is linked to social well-being (5). Studies revealed that students who focus on their positive character traits before taking an exam felt less stress during the exam, as their fear of future failure was lessened by the presence of a positive future self-image.Interestingly, cognitive function of low self-esteem individuals who had been subject to self-affirmation was the same as high self-esteem individuals.

Here are a selection of affirmations from well-known authors in the field. See how it feels to read them and say them to yourself (in your head or out loud).

WAYNE DYER

1) I have the ability to accomplish any task I set my mind to with ease and comfort.
2) I have infinite patience when it comes to fulfilling my destiny.
3) I am connected to an unlimited source of abundance.
4) I have access to unlimited assistance. My strength comes from my connection to my
Source of being.
5) I am an infinite being. The age of my body has no bearing on what I do or who I am.
6) As I un-clutter my life, I free myself to answer the callings of my soul.
7) I can accomplish anything I put my mind to, because I know that I am never alone.
8) I matter and what I have to offer this world also matters.
9) I release the inclination to make anyone else wrong.
10) I am an infinite being. The age of my body has no bearing on what I do or who I am.

DEEPAK CHOPRA

1) The images in my mind have creative power. They breathe existence into possibilities that never existed before.
2) Today I will nourish someone with light.
3) I am beautiful / handsome.
4) I am full of life and energy.
5) I deserve success.
6) I am one with higher wisdom and awareness, immediately, now, eternally.
7) I enjoy my family and friends.
8) My home is peaceful and in order.
9) I am thankful for all plants, animals and workers who have participated in my meal.

10) I am equal to the power of the entire universe.

LOUISE HAY
1) Each day is a new opportunity. Yesterday is over and done. Today is the first day of my future.
2) I now accept and appreciate the abundant life the Universe offers me.
3) I choose a serene way of life.
4) No matter how old I am, I can always learn more, and I can do so with confidence.
5) I am worthy of the very best in life, and I now lovingly allow myself to accept it.
6) I am divinely guided and protected at all times.
7) All is well. Everything is working for my highest good. Out of this situation only good will come. I am safe.
8) I cannot change another person.I let others be who they are, and I simply love who I am.
9) My consciousness is filled with healthy, positive, loving thoughts that reflect themselves in my experience.
10) Whatever I need to know is revealed to me at exactly the right time.

 

How do you feel now? We hope that allowing all these positive words to pass through your mind has had an uplifting effect and increased your self-belief.

 

REFERENCES: (1) Hay, 2011 (2) Porter, 2003 (3) Cresswell et al, 2013 (4) Ng, 2015 (5) Park & ​​Peterson, 2009 (6) Sherman & Bunyan, 2009