This is a difficult question to answer because we’re all different individuals. While affirmations will work extremely well for some people, they may have no effect on others.

For some people, applying the 5-second rule (which requires them to countdown aloud and follow up with a physical action to get started) will be more effective than using affirmations. These are generally more action-oriented people.

Others who tend to be less physical but more geared towards mindfulness will benefit from mindfulness. The only way to know if affirmations will work for you is to give them a try.

• How do affirmations work?

Generally, affirmations are statements that you repeat throughout the day to rewire these beliefs into your brain. You’re training your mind to work in a way that aligns with these affirmations. Repetition is the key here.

One important point to note here is that our minds and actions actually work on habits and patterns. If you wish to change your results in life, it will almost always come down to changing your old habits and patterns and creating new ones.

Our words have power. Affirmations will help you greatly here. For example, if you’re about to write a book and your thoughts keep drifting to how much work you have to do, and if anyone is even going to bother reading it – you’re in a negative mental loop. Your inner critic is talking.

The moment you say an affirmation out loud, “I’m an incredible writer and readers love my books!”, your train of negative thoughts will stop immediately. Your mind cannot think of one thing and speak another contradictory thing at the same time. It’s just not possible.

It’s similar to focusing on deep breathing when you feel upset and dysregulated.  The body can’t do both at the same time.

So, affirmations when used at the right time, can also correct thinking patterns for the better and help you improve in life.

• Which affirmations should I say?

When choosing an affirmation, pick one relatively short and it must resonate with you. If you want to get fit, your affirmation should be something like, “I’m getting stronger daily!”

Say it with belief and compassion. The affirmation should inspire you. Don’t say an affirmation like, “I’ll go to the gym daily!”. That’s more like a to-do list. It doesn’t inspire you and it doesn’t really tell you what your WHY is.

You want to be fit. To have stamina and strength and the muscles of a Greek god. Or something like that. Your affirmation should reflect your desires. 6 years ago, I went on a fitness journey because I wanted a 6 pack for my 45th birthday. My goal and affirmation were very specific. And I nailed it!

In some cases, affirmations can also be used to address weaknesses. For example, if you procrastinate all the time because you’re a perfectionist, an affirmation such as “Done is better than perfect!” will be a good one to use.

Anytime you feel like procrastinating, you can just repeat this affirmation a few times and just get started. If you worry often, an affirmation like, “I’ll not worry about things that I can’t control” will help to ground you.

In the end, an affirmation is not just about implanting beliefs in your thoughts and actions but is also a pattern interruption tool to break your negative thought loop and old habits, so that you can get to do what you’ve been avoiding.

Write down 5 to 7 affirmations that you can repeat daily and stick to them for a month or two and see if they work for you. You may be amazed at how effective they can be. Try using the app ThinkUp to help with your practice.

Words have power…Speak Power into Yourself.

But now I want to hear from you. Have you tried using affirmations to motivate you? Which one of the affirmations your get your greatest source of energy from? Can you add it to my list? Please leave me a comment below.

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