The most popular posts on our Happy Black Woman Facebook Page (by far) are the positive updates I share daily to inspire the women in our community. Every morning, I post an original affirmation that regularly receives hundreds of likes and shares.
What is an affirmation?
Affirmations are, well, affirming statements that you say out loud to yourself on a regular basis. The goal is to re-program your subconscious mind with positive thoughts so that you can remove any negative thoughts preventing you from pursuing your goals and dreams. Affirmations are a powerful personal development tool that I’ve used over the past two years to help me stay present to the possibility of living my ideal life.
The Benefits of Positive Affirmations
We all have some type of negative mental chatter (what Seth Godin calls the “lizard brain”) that clouds our minds at times. This chatter can be caused by fear, doubt, low self-esteem, lack of confidence or simply limiting beliefs that you probably developed during childhood. This self-criticism tends to reinforce the general theories we’ve come to believe about ourselves or our circumstances.
The good news is you can begin to override these destructive messages using the power of positive affirmations. Affirmations can reinforce productive behaviors and change ones that need changing. Here’s how to create affirmations you can identify with so they can help you improve your life!
How to Create Positive Affirmations
1. An affirmation should be stated in the present tense. Your subconscious mind doesn’t have the ability to accept a promise of future behavior. “I will eat healthy foods” doesn’t give your subconscious a timeline or deadline to perform your promise to yourself. Instead, state your affirmation as though it’s a behavior you already exhibit. “I always make healthy food choices” is a present tense statement that your subconscious can accept as a fact.
2. For affirmations to be effective, they have to be stated in the first person. In other words, don’t create an affirmation saying, “You must eat healthy foods.” In order for your affirmation to matter to your subconscious, it must be personal and use the word “I.” For example, “I choose healthy foods every time I eat” is a personal statement that your subconscious can apply to your own behavior.
3. Finally, an affirmation should be stated in a positive manner. “I must stop eating junk food” sends your brain a distorted message that calls attention to the fact that you do eat too much junk food. This type of statement can make you feel bad about your behavior and actually lead you in the opposite direction of your goal to eliminate it. Instead, say “I choose fresh, healthy snacks when I am hungry” to send a clear message to your brain about the exact desired behavior.
How To Use Positive Affirmations
You can begin using affirmations by creating a few short statements about the things you’d like to see happen in your life.
Try some of these favorites from our HBW Facebook page:
- I am calm in the face of conflict. I brush annoyances off quickly and easily. I agree to disagree. I am bigger than that!
- I am in the process of bringing more money into my life. I do not use the word “broke” because it does not affirm me.
- I choose to radiate love, joy and gratitude today. I know life is too short to dwell on negativity. I walk in the light!
- I am committed to the possibility of my own success. I take action on my goals now so I can have the lifestyle I want.
- No one can make me angry. I am responsible for my emotions and reactions. I choose to be at peace.
You can write your affirmations in your journal or write them out on index cards and keep them with you in your purse. Whenever you have a few moments to spare, take them out and read them aloud. I like to say affirmations during my morning routine when I wake up to set the tone for my day.
Using affirmations on a daily basis is a great way to increase your positive energy and help you bring about the transformation you most desire into your life. To get our free daily affirmations in your Facebook newsfeed, click here to like the Happy Black Woman Facebook page!
Leave a comment below: Do you use affirmations as part of your daily routine? If so, share the one(s) you use the most!
Rosetta Thurman is a nationally-recognized author, speaker, mentor and coach dedicated to helping women create their ideal lives.
I choose to have the day of my choice without judging another or allowing negative energy in my space. I choose to reach out to another today in a loving and meaningful way.
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This is the second post about positive affirmations that I read today. I guess that means something as I have been having some negative thoughts lately about my book release and this turning point in my life about…well, what am I going to do? I guess when you start thinking positive, it gives you a renewed vigor to work on your project and be productive.
20+ year fan. Works for me. I appreciate your commitment to affirming what is good and whole and well within us all.
Great tips Rosetta! I use Scriptures for affirmation. I take what God has said about me, my circumstances, business, marriage e.t.c and personalize it! For example today’s was “Your right hand has held me up, your gentleness has made me great” (Psalms 18:35) concerning a couple of things i am working through.
Great post! I am a HUGE fan of affirmations. I also use Daily Affirmations, altho I call them my Daily Decree’s, and I share them on my facebook pages to encourage myself and my followers.
I remind myself daily that I am worthy of God’s best, and that I bring value to anything I am connected with. Thanks for sharing this because it is so true…