6/10/02 11

WRITING AFFIRMATIONS-STEPS TO IMPRINTING

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* WHAT DO I CHOOSE FOR AN AFFIRMATION?

+ CHOOSE A QUALITY, CHARACTERISTIC YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE.

+ MOVE OUT IN TIME AND PICTURE HOW THAT WOULD BE FOR YOU IN 60 - 90 DAYS.

+ MUST BE A GOAL THAT IS FAR ENOUGH OUT TO BE A CHALLENGE BUT CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE BELIEVABLE. BEST RESULTS SEEM TO COME IF THE GOAL IS 50% BELIEVABLE.

+ GET A PICTURE THAT IS CLEAR, VIVID, AND AS PRECISE AS POSSIBLE.

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING AND IMPRINTING AFFIRMATIONS

1. MUST BE PERSONAL. Each person can only affirm for himself. Each person is changing his own Self-Image. Therefore the statements will be an "I", "My", "Me" statement.

2. POSITIVE STATEMENT. Vividly paint a picture for your subconscious of the change you want in a positive statement. (Make no mention of the negative thing you wish to eliminate) Say “I AM....." For instance instead of "I don't lose my temper." use "I am calm and even tempered."

3. USE PRESENT TENSE. Write it in the present tense. This is the only time frame the subconscious operates on. Statements like "some day", "maybe I'll", "tomorrow" create a picture that is uncertain, detached from the behavioral experience you wish to create. You want to create an experience that is happening now, one that is already happening, one that you can experience inside your own mind and body. The subconscious needs to see a picture through your own eyes and to feel the emotional response to that change.

4. INDICATE ACHIEVEMENT. DO NOT INDICATE THE ABILITY "I CAN" in the affirmation. You already have the ability. What must be indicated is the concrete, ACTUAL ACHIEVEMENT. Use statements like "I AM", "I HAVE". The idea is for you to give the vivid message to the subconscious that you are already at the goal. The more you act AS IF you are already in possession of the quality or change, the faster you Self-Image will make it evident in your daily actions. Your objective is to develop an affirmation which will easily evoke an imagined experience, and it is much easier to imagine the accomplished change than a changing process. Seeing the goal completed also eliminates some of the stress usually associated with trying to achieve a goal.

5. MAKE NO COMPARISONS TO OTHERS. This is a personal process. You are a unique person coming from your own unique place and comparisons are like comparing apples to oranges, or rabbits to elephants. You may get discouraged if you think you are progressing more slowly or be misled if you think you are progressing faster. Do not affirm you are "AS GOOD AS", or "BETTER THAN". Instead of, "I am the most productive sales person in our company." use "I am an excellent sales person and my production is very high." Just trust and utilize the process. As long as you keep practicing your affirmations you will proceed at the best rate for you. Just strive to bring about the changes to the Self-Image that you desire by affirming the qualities that are best for you.

6. USE ACTION WORDS. Make it a moving picture. Describe the activity in terms that create pictures of you performing in an easy and anxiety free manner. Your subconscious actions need to be described by statements that start with : "I EASILY", "I QUICKLY", "I ENJOY", "I LOVE TO", "I THRIVE ON", "I SHOW". These words develop a picture of action and accomplishment that does not cause you to feel either threatened or pushed. Instead of "I can relax.", use "I relax easily and quickly whenever I want to do so." You keep moving toward your goals with confidence and poise. )

7. USE EXCITEMENT WORDS. Put as much excitement into the affirmation as you can by vividly stating your behavior in colorful terms. Use words that spark an emotional picture in you subconscious. This helps to make the experience more believable and attractive. Write in a manner that creates fun, pride, happiness, accomplishment and joy. The more action the faster the change. Use words like "I WARMLY", "I HAPPILY", "I LOVINGLY", "I ENTHUSIASTICALLY". Example: "I am very proud to be free of the smoking habit, and I feel terrific."

8. ACCURACY. AFFIRM ONLY AS HIGH AS YOU CAN HONESTLY IMAGINE YOURSELF BECOMING OR PERFORMING. Don't over shoot or undershoot. Shoot for a clear, vivid picture of the end result you want to accomplish so that you stay on course to the goal and don't upset your emotional balance. If you are affirming for example a particular weight level, then pinpoint to the exact weight level you wish to achieve. Be careful what you affirm - it will happen.

9. GO FOR BALANCE. Vital to the process is that your affirmations(goals) fit together in a consistent manner. That is, try not to affirm in inconsistent directions. Look at growth in all areas of your life rather than just for one or two. Balance is the key. Look to see if you are leaving out an important aspect of you life.

10. BE REALISTIC. DO NOT TRY FOR PERFECTION, ITS A DREAM AND SELF DEFEATING. Do not use words like "I ALWAYS" "EVERY TIME I" "I'LL NEVER", etc. THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO BECOME A LOSER. REMEMBER YOU ARE A DEVELOPING CREATURE.

11. KEEP YOUR AFFIRMATIONS TO YOURSELF. Your personal affirmations are for your eyes only. People may constantly try to remind you of your "old Self-Image ". Even well meaning people will compare your actions to your goals and insinuate you are not measuring up. It allows them to work against us and very often causes us to press to get our goals accomplished. Only reveal your affirmations to those persons who NEED to know them and who can help you realize them more quickly.

A good example of an affirmation is:

"I enjoy building sound relationships with my children, one that is open, honest, and loving. I am the kind of parent who earns and deserves the respect and admiration of my children."

(Paraphrased from "Release Your Brakes, Newman, Warner Books")

PERSONAL AFFIRMATIONS

Set aside time to write for yourself specific affirmation, personal just for yourself. Remember, its just a one sentence definition of the quality, characteristic, skill, goal or habit that you want for yourself.

Follow this procedure: choose what you want; get a clear picture of how you will act/be with the new habit. Write down a word description of your picture in one sentence. Put it in your own words, so that when you say it, it sounds just like you.

QUALITY-GOAL-HABIT_________________________________________________________________