Although a bit on the New Age side, affirmations can be quite a powerful tool for creating positive change in your life, when done correctly. For those of us who aren't familiar with the term, they are basically positive statements you repeat to yourself that state how you want to be and how you want things to be. Some people will feel silly doing them while others may not - it all depends on the method - but later in this article I will outline the method that has worked best for me (and is quite relaxing to be honest).

What's the concept?

Whether you are aware of it or not, you are already affirming statements to your self every single day, many times a day. Some of these can already be positive, but the negative things we may affirm to ourselves every day only hurt us in the long run. Just to lay out some examples, here are some situations and some of the negative things people affirm to themselves:

Social Situation: "I'm so boring." or "They look disinterested"

Work Situation: "Nobody respects me here" or "I always end up with all the work"

Playing A Sport: "They're too good" or "I'm not good enough"

Trying Something New: "This is too hard" or "I'll make a fool out of myself"

Regarding Money: "I'm always broke" or "Money doesn't grow on trees"

And to dispay the positive side, I'll quickly flip the script:

Social Situation: "I am charming and people like me"

Work Situation: "I do a great job and have a positive attitude"

Playing A Sport: "I always try my best, but you can't win every single time"

Trying Something New: "This will be fun and interesting"

Regarding Money: "Money comes to me easily and frequently"

Over time, these become self fulfilling prophecies (as you may have already noticed in your life). Imagine if you affirmed positive things to yourself constantly, regarding all areas of life, several times a day, every day? Wouldn't this serve as a catalyst for constant growth and improvement in your life? You may or not be a little be skeptical at this point, but by now it should at least start to become clear exactly what affirmations are, and how we can use them to our advantage.

How can I start using them?

I thought you'd never ask.

In my experience, there is a "certain way" to do them which works pretty well, granted you are consistent with it (every morning and/or every night) and do them every day for at least 30 days.

1. Make a list of all the areas of your life you want to improve, and then list even some of the negative things you think and affirm to yourself already

2. Flip the script on those negative affirmations and turn them into positive and empowering ones. Save this list, you are going to be using it every day (although you can modify it as you go along)

3. Record the affirmations onto a audio file that you can play back at any time (if you feel silly recording them, you can find someone to record them for you or even find paid resources online for them to do it for you)

4. Before you begin listening them, sit or lie down, and get your mind and body into a very relaxed state. Focus on your breath for several minutes while closing your eyes and imagine yourself in a calm, peaceful scenario and environment (laying on the beach, relaxing by the waterfall, etc)

5. Play back the affirmations now that you are in a very relaxed state. I personally keep my eyes closed while I listen and let them sink in, but you can leave your eyes open if you prefer.

6. As you listen, relax, let them sink in, feel the empowerment these statements give you, and negate mental chatter

7. End the session by saying "I now have this, or something better".

8. Release all of the thoughts; let go and carry on with whatever it is you were planning on doing.

Any alternatives?

If this is all brand new to you (or if you feel like it's too much of a hassle) and/or you are interested in similar options, consider pre-recorded affirmation mp3's and pre-recorded self hypnosis mp3's, all of which can be found in abundance online. Affirmation software is also available online, and it basically guides you through the process in a more technical way (affirmation software can be quite fun and interesting actually).

By using positive affirmations, you can override negative "programming" going on in your mind. Use them daily, every night before bed and every morning. Have them recorded so you can relax and feel empowered by listening to them. Do them in the right way, and you will notice results in time. If you are having difficulty with this or want to explore other similar options, consider trying hypnosis or affirmation software.