Episode Transcript
Episode Transcript
Intro:
Welcome to the Ashes to Wings podcast, where we tell stories of overcomers, and give you tips and tricks to living a fuller, more embodied life, here's your host, Jenni O'Connor.
Jenni:
Hey friends! Today we’re going to talk about affirmations. Affirmations are positive phrases you can repeat to yourself in order to train your brain to view things differently. This then helps shape your new reality. The average person hears four negative comments for every positive one. So we want to overcome that negative bias by programming our brains with positive, growth mindset information.
More than just wishes or positive self-talk, affirmations are most effective when they’re used with intention and purpose. I’m a big believer that we can’t just wish for the life we want... we need to work toward it.
When writing an affirmation, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind.
First of all, write your affirmation in the first person. For example, my affirmations start with “I... “ instead of “Jenni...”
Second, write your affirmations in the present tense, as if it’s already true. For example, instead of “I will be strong, “ you would say, “I am strong.”
Third, keep your phrasing positive and empowering. For example, instead of “I won’t be lazy after work,” you could say, “I spend 15 minutes exercising after work each night.”
So now that you have a framework, start writing your affirmations. Envision who you want to be at your best. Create the life you desire. Get creative with your words., and use words that excite you and give you a thrill.
I recommend keeping affirmations short and clear, and starting with just a few. The more you repeat these to yourself, the better. And if you have a long list of 100 affirmations, you’ll quickly find yourself annoyed at repeating them every day.
While you can find affirmations on YouTube or Spotify, research shows you only retain 20% of what someone else says to you. You retain 80% of what you say to yourself. There’s power in hearing your own voice say the words, so the best method is saying them out loud to yourself each day.
Some people record themselves reading their affirmations, so they can listen to them while they drive or sleep. This is a great option, if reading them out loud isn’t always easy.
Another method I have used is to laminate my affirmations and put them in the shower to read while I’m conditioning my hair. I also have a few of my favorites set as the wallpaper on my phone. If your computer has a screensaver that allows you to set the words or pictures, that may be another option that works for you.
The important thing is to be continually absorbing these words. Reading them, hearing them, visualizing them. The more you can focus your mind on the reality you choose to create, the faster it will happen.
What are some of your favorite affirmations? Leave me a comment on our social media and let me know. See you next time!
Outro:
Thanks for listening. The best way to learn is to teach someone else. So take one thing you learned today and share it with a friend. Find Jenni on Instagram at the_Jenni_O'Connor and online at JenniOConnor.com. Subscribe for new episodes. Until next time, rise above
