How many of us have heard or even said, “only crazy people talk to themselves”?
Well if that’s the case, call me crazy. Contrary to popular belief there is absolutely nothing wrong with talking to yourself. I do it all the time and so do you. But now here is the question, what exactly are you saying to yourself and how is your internal dialog affecting your progress towards change?
- Do you find yourself making excuses for not doing the things that will bring you closer to your goals? Excuses are a form of self-talk you know?
- Do you argue for your limitations and stand firm on all the things you have “told yourself” you can’t do?
- Do you allow fear (false evidence appearing real) to hold you back? Again, this is just another form of self talk that keeps you stuck and in a rut.
Often times our internal dialog is so harsh and critical that we can’t get a positive word in edge wise. We are our own worse enemy, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Do you realize that when you are gentle and more encouraging towards yourself the changes you are seeking in life actually show up?
When it comes to creating healthy habits one of the best ways to reinforce a new habit is by using positive affirmations to change your thinking and thus change your behavior. Whether we realize it or not our thought life plays a pivotal role in our daily actions. Whatever we say to ourselves on a consistent basis gets programmed into our subconscious mind, which then goes to work to bring that thought into fruition.
As a man thinketh so is he – Proverbs 23:7
That’s why it is so important to not only watch what you say to others but to especially watch what you say to yourself and about yourself! And the best way to do so is through the practice of daily affirmations.
Four Benefits To Practicing Daily Affirmations
- You will start to believe you can do the things you once believed you couldn’t do
- You will feel motivated to take consistent action
- You will begin to have a more positive outlook on life and your journey
- You will be able to keep setbacks in perspective
Writing down your affirmations and reading them daily is a powerful tool that will support and help you to produce the changes you desire to make. I want to encourage you to be purposeful about feeding your mind on a daily basis with positive affirmations. Here are a few of mine:
- Everyday in every way I am getting better, stronger and faster
- My body feels alive when I exercise
- Eating healthy keeps me energized, mentally alert and fit
- I am happy, healthy and fit
- I am fit, fabulous and free
The more I say these things to myself the more I believe them AND everything that is within me goes to work to make them my reality.
Here are a few tips to get you started on writing your own affirmations.
- Be sure to state affirmations in the present tense: “My body IS a lean mean workout machine”
- State affirmations in the positive rather than the negative: “I am healthy” vs. “I am not sick”
- When you say your affirmations, say them with emotion, intent and conviction and be sure to look yourself in the eyes
- Write them down and keep a copy of them everywhere (in your purse, in your car, at your desk, taped to your bathroom mirror, etc) so you can refer to them often
- Choose affirmations that highlight the habit you want to establish
We all have that default mode, I know I do. We have to do all that we can to reinforce the new healthy habits, which we are creating. Practicing daily affirmations will realign your thinking so that you are thinking more about, and acting on what you want in your life rather than what you don’t want. Affirmations will set your subconscious mind on the right path to bring those things you want into fruition.
What do you consistently say to yourself to encourage yourself to stay on track towards reaching your goals?