Marsha GillY’all, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t talk to myself. Seriously! Now, I will say that the talk wasn’t always encouraging, uplifting, and empowering. R. Kiyosaki hit the nail on the head with, “It’s not what you say out of your mouth that determines your life; it’s what you whisper to yourself that has the most power.” Now that’s a mouthful! Most have heard the phrase..if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. What would happen if you took that phrase and used it as a filter? Take a moment and process that. Just imagine the impact using that phase filter could have on your self-talk. There was a time when people who talked to themselves were considered “crazy.” With so much evidence-based research out there, self-talk is considered one of the most effective therapeutic tools available.
The thing about a tool is that you’ve got to know what you have, how, and when to use it. The truth about self-talk is that it’s always happening. Your inner voice is constantly providing a running monologue on your life throughout the day. So, tune in, listen up and see what you discover. Is it positive or negative? When something negative happens in your life, do you beat yourself up about it time? Is that negative monologue on a constant loop? Do you find yourself focusing on phrases like “That was stupid,” “I am so fat,” “No one loves me,” or “I can’t get anything right”? Negative self-talk can zap the joy right out of your life.
Luckily, you have the power to change that negative, survive talk to positive thrive talk. Positive affirmations can shut down that negativity. Affirmations are simply statements or phrases which focus on life rather than death. Remember, the power of life and death is in the tongue.
Here are some easy ways to incorporate positive affirmations into your life:
1. Affirmations should always be in the present tense. Begin your statements with “I can,” “I have,” or “I am,” instead of a phrase like “I will” or “I may.”
- Examples would be “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” instead of “I will never look stupid again.”
- Make statements that emphasize the positive attributes you want to encourage, saying them as if you already exhibit that behavior.
2. Say your name when stating your affirmations. Believe it or not, this does make a big difference. When you say: “I, Diane Jones, am a beautiful person both inside and out,” it makes that affirmation more powerful because you hear the lovely sound of your own name! Here’s some food for thought, using your name in the affirmations allows your subconscious to process the words even quicker.
3. Less is more; too much of a good thing is bad. All I’m saying here is to focus on one or two affirmations to start. Yes, you’re all kinds of fabulous and have many positive attributes. Here’s the thing, if you start with twenty positive affirmations, your subconscious may be overwhelmed or dismiss the deeper meaning.
- Think about it, when you meet someone, and they’re ranting and raving about how great and beautiful you are, what’s the first thought that comes to your mind? Usually, after the second or third time, you start wondering if this person is sincere or just blowing smoke! The same principle applies to practicing too many affirmations at once.
- Focus on one or two, and when they’re firmly planted into your subconscious, you can move on and add more.
4. Practice your affirmations as often as possible. Our subconscious mind is more open to suggestions when we first open our eyes in the morning and then again when we’re ready to fall asleep at night. Take advantage of this timeframe and speak life.
- The more often you recite your affirmations and speak life, the faster you’ll experience lasting changes.
5. Don’t sweat it if you’re having trouble writing your affirmations. The bible is a great place to start. Check out my list of my favorite self-affirmation statements. You can pick out one or two that you’d like to focus on and get started.
A lack of confidence holds us back from experiencing the life we deserve. Protect your confidence and self-esteem with daily affirmations and experience the joy of life you’ve been missing.
Activate. Cultivate. and Thrive.
