How to use affirmations to boost confidence and self esteem

Anyone that knows me or has visited this blog before will know that although I am a huge believer in positive thinking, I’m not necessarily a believer of affirmations*. 

But affirmations can be useful; as long as you use them properly and stick to a few basic rules. 

Confidence and self esteem are linked with a positive mind, so those of you that are trying to overcome negative thoughts may find it useful to say some daily affirmations.  Here are some tips of how to use affirmations to their best potential.

1)     Make sure that you always say them in the present tense, not past and definitely not future.  “I am calm and in control” for example. 

2)     Sometimes, an affirmation such as “I am calm and in control” is a stretch too far, in other words your mind automatically rejects it.  The way to get around this is to say “I am calmer and more in control every day”.  Still in the present tense, but now you are easing yourself into the affirmation and it will not be automatically rejected as unbelievable.

3)     Make sure that you say the affirmations in a positive tone (either out loud or in your head).  This is a time to be bright and breezy not monotone or bored!  Sound confident and you will trick your subconscious into believing that you ARE confident.

4)     Do it a lot!  You can’t just say the affirmation once or twice and then give up.  Positive thinking is a habit, just like negative thoughts are.  So rinse and repeat many many times.

5)    Don’t give up.  Eventually if you stick to the above 4 simple rules, the affirmations will start to have an impact on the way that you think and your confidence and self esteem will grow.

You may not notice this improvement as it will be gradual and long term, but try keeping a journal to keep track of your thoughts and you will really notice an improvement. 

You can also use your journal for making notes of really good affirmations that you can use.

* When affirmations won’t work;  when you have a past trauma or negative event that is ‘stuck’ in your energy field which needs to be cleared. 

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Please feel free to leave a comment, your favourite affirmation or tips of how you have increased confidence or self esteem.  Please use your real name and NO SPAM!

Article source : http://www.healingthatfeeling.com/how-to-use-affirmations-to-boost-confidence-and-self-esteem