How to Create Affirmations That Work

The language, the words you use will help you fail or succeed. Affirmations are mental notes you make to yourself about how you want to be, and how you’re getting there. It’s like reminding yourself to take the parkway to drive to work, because driving through the woods makes you feel peaceful.

Affirmations

• move you forward, describing your end state
• counteract your negative self-talk in a realistic way
• are specific and believable
• drive you to action to make the change you want
• motivate you to want to take the action
• are written using positive words
• state the action you want to take
• are personal to you and your goals
• are stated in the present tense (I am vs. I will be)

Replace “I have to exercise” with

I want to go swimming because I can move my legs really fast without hurting my knees

I want to work out so I can feel how strong my arms are becoming

Ten minutes on the treadmill is ten minutes in which I can switch off everything except the rhythm of my feet.

Replace “I have to eat right” with

Food is a delightful source of energy for me, as well as a source of pleasure. I get pleasure from eating amounts of food that satisfy me and get me up and going again.

Every bite I take nourishes my body, my mind and my spirit. I take the time to enjoy each bite.

I love to choose foods that meet both my health and taste goals.

Replace “I am a failure” with

Every day I’m practicing new habits that move me closer to my goals.

I have a perfect right to be who I am at exactly this moment, and enjoy life to the fullest.

I do things that make me feel good about myself and are true to my spirit.

The best affirmations are the ones that are actually used. The more you review them, the more you write them, the better you’ll get at affirmations. One day, you’ll find that affirmative thinking has replaced your negative self-talk.

Get started now. Write one or two down, put them in your pocket and review them until you feel that you get them, or get tired of them. Then write more, and use them. As you change, so will your affirmations. Let them flow.