A lot of people claim that they experience positive changes in their lives after they started practicing self affirmations. That whatever they affirm for really becomes a reality. Sounds good, but the problem is there are many others who say the opposite! Many say that affirmations don't work and they don't see any results from it.
So why are there 2 opposing opinions? What creates the difference between the 2 groups?
First of all, let us understand what self affirmation is. Self affirmation is the practice of repeatedly affirming what you desire to have. This is done in a way similar to reciting to chanting your affirmations. There's no limit to what you can affirm for. You can do self affirmations for almost anything.
Here's an example of a positive affirmation;
- "Everyday in every way I am getting more and more confident"
Or just use a simple "I am becoming more.....". You don't necessarily need to use "everyday in every way".
Affirmations are made with statements 'I am', 'I can' and 'I will'. Like "I am confident" or "I can be confident" etc.
What Makes Affirmations Work?
Self affirmations works because of the power of intention. Even though affirmations seem like is it just talk and no action, there is actually more to it. Practicing affirmations signals your intention to the universe. When you do that the universe will conspire to help you.
Our brains cannot differentiate between reality and something that is imagined vividly. Intellectually we know the difference, but the brain accepts both as reality. The more intense and real the imagination, the more the brain will accept it as real. This is the same when doing affirmations. The more intensity and emotion you put into it, the stronger the affirmation becomes. Then the brain will then accept that affirmation as reality.
And the more repetitions of the affirmation you make, the more it becomes 'real' to the brain.
So what makes it not work for some people?
So why is it many people say that self affirmations are ineffective? Is it because the power of intention is not real? Or does the brain actually feel that what you're affirming does not reflect the truth?
There are basically 2 reasons why people don't see any results from practicing self affirmations.
First of all it is because they are doing the affirmations the wrong way, without any power, passion, intensity or emotion. If you chant affirmations in a weak and non-enthusiastic manner, it will never work. That statement will not be accepted by your brain or the universe. There is no power of intention in it. Don't practice affirmations just for the sake of it, don't just go through the motions with it. Do it correctly, which is with belief and power.
The second reason is due to lack of congruency after practicing the affirmation. After the doing the affirmation, you must also put in your effort to make it work. You must try your best to be congruent with it.
We should have this mind-set when it comes to self affirmations. We should not think of affirmations as the solution to all problems. Rather, we must help make the affirmation process effective by working together with it, through effort and the determination to change our lives.
Ethan Beh is a business consultant and self improvement enthusiast. He has spent the good part of the last decade practicing various personal development techniques including NLP, self affirmation, peak performance and others. Visit his site today and sign up for his free monthly newsletter!
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