The Power of Affirmations: Secrets to Boosting Your Mindset
Have you noticed people talking more and more about the positive power of affirmations and “neuroplasticity’’? Neuroplasticity is the science behind mindset and how we can develop our skills and knowledge through effort, practice, and persistence. In terms of manifestation, we find it easy to start a routine, but in order to be successful it needs to be sustainable long term. In this post, we will uncover some best practices and tips for getting - and more importantly, staying - in a routine that will boost your mindset.
The way you speak to yourself has an impact on your life in the grand scheme of things. I have learned that healthy habits like moving and nourishing your body are yes, indeed essentials for your mindset. However, it goes beyond that. The way you think about yourself and your body matters. It’s critical that you go deeper in order to change your thinking.
What is an affirmation?
The dictionary defines the word affirmation as ''something that is affirmed; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true.'' Have you ever noticed that whatever you affirm to yourself is declared to be true? That whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right?!
So that means whether your inner dialogue is positive or negative, the subconscious believes you. The mind doesn't know the difference between what is real or not and surely accepts what you affirm as truth! That is one of the reasons you have to be mindful about what you think or speak about yourself because the subconscious mind is listening!
I have been self-sabotaging myself for the longest time with words or thoughts that have not served me AT ALL. Don’t get me wrong, I am far from perfect, and I admit that I sometimes still struggle with how I treat myself verbally. However, I have gone from hating myself to accepting myself, which is a huge victory for me.
You can get to that place too!
Positive affirmations and changing your inner dialogue will help you to overcome self-sabotage.
When you change your inner dialogue with positive statements, you can start to make positive changes. This brain hack helps you to rewire your brain in creating new pathways, therefore, new habits, inner dialogues, and behaviours all become possible! Affirmations are a great tool to help you manifest what you want to attract into your life and create your reality. When you visualize (intend, affirm, etc.) you are training your brain to change its biochemistry. It records what you are visualizing as a memory because the mind doesn't know the difference between what is real and what is imagined. How cool is that?
How to apply the power of affirmations
Now I know what you want to know; is it easy?
Truth be told, no, not always.
Do you have to “fake it until you make it”? I do not believe that to be true either.
There are some affirmations that you may not be comfortable with. In which case, modify them so that they do ring true to you.
For example, I have a hard time with, “I love my body’’ because it doesn’t feel authentic to tell myself those words. However, I can say “I appreciate how my body allows me to move everyday’’. I feel 100% comfortable and “real’’ about it. The secret to boosting your mindset is to use affirmations that resonate with you. The more connected you are to that truth, or envisioned truth, the more successful you will be in your recovery and beyond.
To believe that you are:
worthy
loveable (and have the capacity to receive love)
courageous
limitless
powerful
healthy (physically, emotionally, and physically)
“The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.
You will never change your life without changing part of that routine.”
- Darren Hardy, American author and Keynote Speaker
So, how to be successful in that routine of yours, you ask? In his book Atomic Habits James Clear talks about how tracking your habits provides clear evidence of your progress and I agree with that! Tracking your progress can be as simple as writing your daily affirmation in a journal or crossing a day on the calendar every time your affirmation routine has been done. Having a record of your daily affirmation routine is extremely motivating and rewarding as the progress you make each day keeps you wanting to stay on that path! Clear reiterates that tracking your habits keeps you accountable for yourself and feeds your motivation to keep on pursuing the task.
I will be honest with you, there is no shortcut to learning a new habit of practicing affirmations. Repetition, consistency, patience, persistence and perseverance are the keys to your success.
Oh! Being kind to yourself is another big component of it!
But Julie, I don’t know what affirmations to start with!
Well, let me share my favourites with you in my FREE Affirmation Guide. I have intentionally chosen these for the way they can be personalized to resonate with you and become more effective.
REMEMBER: It is not about being rigid about your affirmation routine. The intention is to slowly bring up a new inner dialogue with yourself, so you can step into that strength and inner power that you are! If you miss a day… just start off the next to not lose the momentum!
I am looking forward to hearing about the shifts that will occur as you integrate the power of affirmations in your life.
Tag me on instagram @juliegauthier.co to let me know!
I am grateful for you
Much Love,
