Positive Affirmations

Do positive affirmations really help? Or are they just a silly, unproven theory?

You can see affirmations in action just by observing someone like me talking to my dog Josh. “Sit boy, you can do it, sit down, yes that’s gooood, now sit. Okay you can dooo it. Yes you did it! Gooood boyyy!”

It’s comical how all of us people with dogs use positive affirmations on our pets but it never occurs to us that the same methods might work on ourselves.

The fact is, we all need positive feedback from our environment. Here is a famous example.

When a company invented a hay baling tractor with an enclosed and air conditioned cab, the farmers could no longer hear the bale of hay being processed. It was nice and quiet, but it seemed monotonous. Customer satisfaction was not what they had hoped. So the company added a rear-view mirror so a farmer could see the bale drop off the back of the tractor, and they also added a little bell that would make a “ding” sound every time a bale of hay came out. Now the customer satisfaction was very high, due to the positive feedback, the “affirmation” of the work being done.

Doing a thing is not enough, we as people crave feedback. Meanwhile the world is providing an endless stream of negative and manipulative feedback. People offer up doubts and criticisms of everything you say or do. Advertisers intentionally try to make you feel bad so you will buy their product to compensate. An encouraging word is seldom heard.

Well as the old saying goes, if you want a job done right, you may have to do it yourself.

One simple way to give yourself some positive affirmations every day is to put them in writing where you will see them. Printing out a note and pasting it on the wall is a good idea. Also, these days you can get any message put on a coffee cup, computer mouse pad, screen saver, magnet, notepads, etc. I have a coffee cup that says “Attitude of Gratitude” on it and it is a good reminder to me to be thankful for all of the blessings I have.

Another method is to find some audio programs that offer positive messages. Many authors have audio versions of their books and talks. These messages can offer you a lot of encouragement and good images to focus your thoughts upon.

Lastly, positive self-talk is a secret of many successful people in a variety of fields. I have talked to a lot of different achievers in business, sports and life; and most of them have said that they use positive self talk to overcome the negative doubts that all of us battle with.

Right now, is your negative self talk doubting this idea? Well there is all the proof you need. Be kind to yourself. Next time you look in the mirror say “Hey how are you doing buddy? You’re looking good for all the miles you have on you. Then smile and say “Hang in there, I believe in you. Have a great day.”

Yes it will seem embarrassing at first, but you might find that you can be your own best friend. Sadly, many people are their own worse enemies, berating themselves and talking down to themselves all day long.

Try some positive affirmations in your own life, on a day-to-day consistent basis for the next 30 days, and see what kind of difference you notice in your accomplishments and your peace of mind.