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They are worded as if the situation is already so, such as, "I am calm in the traffic", "I am a punctual person", or "I am a confident public speaker."
Thoughts and words are extremely powerful, and play a big role in determining what we attract into our lives.
For example, children who frequently say "I am hopeless at maths" will create that reality, even if it is not true. As adults, we often underestimate how the messages we entrench in our children (by always calling them things like "you little monster" or "fatso") affect them later in life – even if these labels are meant as a joke.
Similarly, repeating statements such as "I am a terrible cook", "I am uncoordinated" or "I am accident-prone" will not only keep you from trying new recipes or activities, but will actually set you up for situations that reinforce that negative thought pattern.
You figuratively programme yourself to ruin the dinner, dance like a windmill or fall off a bicycle. Our thoughts become our reality.
Affirmations work exactly the same way, except that they replace the negative messages in your subconscious with positive ones.
Repeated regularly, they eventually become fact. If you constantly tell yourself (and your children) that you are capable, creative and courageous, you will attract situations that prove that this is so. You will change your thought pattern and create a different outcome.
It's important that affirmations be worded positively ("I am neat and attractive" rather than "I am not a fat slob") and also that they be realistic.
If you want to stop smoking or lose weight, for example, don't go immediately to "My life is free of cigarettes" and "I weigh 53kg" if these goals are light years from where you are at the moment.
"I smoke 20 cigarettes a day" and "I weigh 70kg" may be enough of a challenge to start with. You can reduce the numbers as you achieve your goals.
Get into the habit of repeating your affirmations every day, in the shower, at the traffic lights or in the supermarket queue.
Look at situations that make you feel vulnerable or insecure to get an idea of what affirmations may help you.
Kick start your affirmations with these examples:
Or create your own affirmations, but remember to repeat them daily, they only become effective through repetition.
