I am a renowned chemistry professor! I am a successful, well-regarded film director! I am a confident and prosperous entrepreneur!

These are all examples of positive affirmations. Affirmations are written or spoken statements that when regularly practiced can redirect our thoughts and beliefs.

Positive affirmations, when applied on a consistent basis, have the power to condition our brains to achieve our dreams and goals. On the other hand, negative affirmations can threaten defeatist emotions and actions. Essentially, the belief system we create in our minds will trigger what is known as the reticular activating system (RAS) .

The RAS is a network of neurons located in the brain stem. It is an automatic screening system that allows certain information to reach your brain while filtering out the rest. By selectively passing some inputs to the brain over others, the RAS impacts your mindset, your decisions and your actions.

Part of the power of the RAS is that it is self-reinforcing and feeds off of what you already believe to be true. It promotes the law of attraction. If you believe that you are confident and successful, your RAS will pass on information that confirms your beliefs. On the other hand, if you believe that you lack confidence and are unsuccessful, your RAS will reinforce that just as easily. The RAS is therefore either your best cheerleader or your worst enemy.

The good news is that your RAS isn’t fixed. You have the power to train your RAS to seek out different information and reinforce different beliefs. The secret is affirmations. These statements you repeatedly tell yourself are extremely powerful and will ultimately create your own reality.

So how do you get started writing affirmations?

I started writing affirmations quite a few years ago and still do today whenever I feel my confidence needs a boost. Throughout my childhood and young adult life, I often endured feelings of insecurity and self-doubt. I believed I was unintelligent and limited in my natural abilities. These self-sabotaging beliefs were engrained from a young age and unfortunately guided the trajectory of my life for years to come.

Years ago, I discovered the power affirmations while leisurely flipping through a fashion magazine. One particular article quickly captured my attention because of its focus on the foundations of self-esteem. It explained that limiting self-beliefs can be erased no matter how long we have internalized them. Indeed, the focus of these inspiring words was on the tremendous impact of positive affirmations.

I followed the article’s detailed instructions and began writing basic affirmations such as, “I am intelligent, capable and confident.” The article emphasized that affirmations should always be written in the present tense, ensuring your subconscious mind gets to work on them immediately. It also stressed the importance of saying them out loud, numerous times a day.

Over the next several months, I did just that. Initially, it felt silly. I didn’t believe a word I was saying. But eventually, through repetition and regularity, I started to feel a shift. I slowly began to embody those powerful words and believe them to be true. I persisted relentlessly until the inaccurate perceptions of myself gradually disappeared. Truth be told, there are no miracles. My personal growth took patience, perseverance and consistency. Through determination and hard work, I found success and am most certain you will as well. There is one more piece to the puzzle though - the action that will solidify your efforts.

Incantations

Composing positive affirmations is a huge first step but saying them aloud is what gives affirmations their power. Incantations personify the meaning behind your words. They engage your physiology and emotions, and they create an association between what you say and how you feel. This emotional intensity is what sends the message to your brain that your words are real and creates a foothold in your nervous system. When you say your affirmations out loud, make sure to be passionate! Yell them out with certitude, throw your arms up, add that passionate vigor! If you physically create a rush of excitement, your affirmations will become powerfully built. The mind doesn’t know the difference between whether you are faking it or truly feeling it. As the old saying goes, fake it until you make it! Your dreams will come true because they ARE true.

Find a quiet place where you can easily self-reflect. Close your eyes and take some slow deep breaths.

When you feel ready, ask yourself:

What do I want to embody in my reality?

Write your answer down in present tense, as if you have already achieved this goal. “I am…”

Say it out loud, three times, with as much emotion and conviction as possible. Repeat this ritual three to four times a day for one month.

After one month’s time, find that same quiet place, close your eyes, and see if you feel a gentle shift.

Be consistent and patient, but most importantly, be kind to yourself throughout the journey.

“If you hear a voice within you say, “you can’t paint,” then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent van Gogh

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