At the risk of being called a hippie, prepare for a fuzzy feeling post, but I think a good and vital one as I want to share some of the things I’m learning (and doing).
As I was plowing through Scott Adams’ fantastic book “How to Fail At Almost Everything And Still Win Big” I came upon the concept of affirmations.
According to Adams:
“Affirmations are simply the practice of repeating to yourself what you want to achieve while imagining the outcome you want.”
Why I Am Eager to Try Affirmations (Again)
Like Adams, when I was younger, I read and studied hypnosis. The subconscious mind is fascinating to me. He mentions we are “moist robots” that can be programmed and I fully believe that. In the past, I used visualization of things I wanted to achieve and used what he calls affirmations loosely. And like him, I attribute much of the success I enjoy from doing those things today (including quitting smokeless tobacco well over 10 years ago).
Sports psychologists and coaches often ask athletes to visualize the race, to live it out in vibrant details in their minds. From what I understand about affirmations there are a lot of parallels with visualization I employed regularly.
I believe all of this — visualization and affirmations paired with real, bold action — is extremely powerful for achieving what you want in this life.
I know because I’ve lived it. And want to do so again.
My journey in life has led me back to all of this again as I’ve sought to establish new dreams and goals for my life. And so with that, I decided to establish some affirmations for four key areas of my life and want to share them with you here.
Keep in mind, these are my rough drafts and I’m bearing my soul with you. I do think they need to be shorter. But last night I tried to visualize one of them and what success looks like and immediately got some instant results of what I need to do and focus on to achieve these.
I want to return to these each day … and have a moment of meditation and visualization using these affirmations.
PERSONAL
I am a healthy, happy, loving, adored husband and father … full of joy and energy, my body feels great, my mind is focused, my soul calm. (Note: I thought deeply on this one last night before I fell asleep and immediately had the revelation that to achieve this one … I’d need to focus on developing more patience.)
I am consistently choosing healthy habits … so I can live longer and watch my kids grow up and eventually meet my grandchildren.
FAMILY
Lindsey, Cal and I are creating and savoring priceless moments together, making the most of our time and energy.
Lindsey and I are in blissful adoring love, best friends who share everything and passionate lovers who are preferring and prioritizing our time together as we make the most of it.
BUSINESS
My business, iThemes, is an exciting, growing, profitable, and healthy business. My family, our team’s families, our partners and our customers are all reaping the benefits of our hard work together.
PROFESSIONAL
I am nurturing greatness in others by sharing my experiences and expertise to help other people discover and live their own dreams.
I am an innovative, passionate, impactful entrepreneurial leader and mentor.
I am building influence and impact everywhere I go and in what I do.
I am reaching out and meeting new key people and building healthy relationships.
***
Putting Them To Work
I’ve printed off (yes, on paper) the long-form version and then also a shortened version (for bathroom mirror, laptop, car, etc) as well as posted it to our Big Picture board. As it’s suggested, I think they have to be front and center in your life. And I certainly want these to be embedded in my present so I can achieve them in the near future.
My next step is to think on them deeply and as I do, get clear on how to make them a reality in my life.
***
If you have your own affirmations and want to share, I’d love to read them in the comments below.
P.S. — I found these posts on affirmations helpful as I started this exercise:
- 35 Affirmations That Will Change Your Life (great ideas and inspiration)
- Daily Affirmations For People Who Hate Daily Affirmations
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