Affirmations

 

Do you have any affirmations?   Positive content is one thing, affirmations are different.  When I was in therapy my therapist said that I am statements don't always work because underneath you don't believe yourself still.  I can definitely see that being the case.  Even with affirmations I can see that being the case.   What do you think?  Have they worked for you?

In the book "The Miracle Morning" by Hal Elrod, he talks about saying an affirmation every morning.  I actually printed out one based on his writing and started saying it while in the shower.   First time I said it outloud...my kids wondered who I was talking to in there.  :)  I took it to the Tony Robbins level saying it with conviction and feeling.   He says that if you don't say it with a lot of Umph that you won't believe yourself.  Maybe that's the difference between the belief and disbelief of a statement.  The passion in the words.  So if you have the book The Miracle Morning"  Read the part about the affirmations and pull out that section.  Or possibly adapt your own and say it with substance while in the shower or just as you are climbing out of bed in the morning.   How does it feel?  Do you believe it?

If you don't want to make your own check out a youtube video and play it for motivation instead.  These two are recommended by Jonathan Roche of Energyup.co   He says to listen to them daily.  

Unbroken - Motivational Video - YouTube

Dream - Motivational Video - YouTube

So no matter how you get your affirmations...remember, just like in the movie "The Help"  You is Kind, You is Smart, You is Important.  

Taking Action

Ever have one of those epiphany moments where you wonder why you hadn't thought of that before? I had one of those this weekend. It was a huge lightbulb/duh moment. One that is almost pathetic that I hadn't put it together before now.

Mind Games

In a recent visit with my therapist we talked about motivation.   I have long term motivation.   What could be called "whys"   but that doesn't give me short term motivation.   The short term motivation is what gets you to make the harder choice in the moment.   Turns out that we as humans tend to take the easy way, almost all the time.  I know, I didn't want to believe it either.   It seems that faced with two choices such as eating the chocolate sitting on the counter or pulling veggies out of the fridge, we will pick the first because it is the most convenient.   I know that is how it works for me.   I am not lazy but more wired to find the ways that make something the easiest for me.  In some aspects this is a good thing.  But when trying to change my routines it isn't exactly the best.

So we talked of different methods to combat the laziness.  A rewards jar or an if this than I can have that scenario.  She said something that really struck me though.   It comes down to a constant negotiation with ourselves.   Even if we are having those thoughts of I don't want to, we can play a mental game with ourselves.   Our subconcious doesn't realize we are playing the game, only our conciousness.   So in reality if you trick yourself it has the same effect as if we had made the choice out of habit. 

Since we talked about this, I have started playing the game.  If I want to sit at the computer and I have a load of laundry to do, I will say I will sit down after I do the laundry.   Of course not out loud.  :) 
  If I want to watch a TV show, I will do the dishes first, or do them while watching.   "I can watch while I wash the dishes".   It isn't saying no to myself, but adding conditions.  

My trainer even mentioned something like this the other day.   When she wants a treat, she will tell herself she can have it later (tonight or tomorrow)   usually when the time comes she doesn't want it anymore. Interesting isn't it.   When I tried holding off on treats until a specific day every week, I found myself craving them more, hiding stuff in the freezer wolfing it down on Saturday.   Perhaps my waiting time was too long.  

So far the mental game is working for me in getting me up and moving instead of sitting and not moving.   I found Downton Abby last week...lets say that was rather dangerous.   I have been watching it quite a bit.  But usually (recently) while I am doing something else. 

If you try playing games with yourself, let me know how it goes!