Do you find yourself often stuck in a negative thought spiral? “I can’t do this.” “I am not good enough.” “I will never get this right.” Do these sound familiar? Do you also, from time to time, have to work really hard to ward off negative thoughts or even use positive affirmations? This might be, in part, because our brains are equipped with a greater sensitivity to negative information than positive, also called “negativity bias“. In laymen terms: since prehistoric times our brains evolved with this bias for a good reason: to keep us out of harm’s way. But as our survival does not depend on spotting the deadly saber-toothed tiger anymore, our brain’s bias for negative information puts us in harm’s way in quite different ways. 
Do you ever experience how your negative thoughts seem to become self-fulfilling prophecies? When we talk ourselves down long enough we start to believe what our brain constantly whispers into our ears and in return, our personal lives, relationships, and careers take a turn for the worse. As our brains are on autopilot most of the day to filter the flood of information, how do we take charge of our thoughts and turn off autopilot for those negative thoughts? Why don’t you give positive affirmations a try? Positive affirmations are by no means wishful thinking, they are rather a scientifically proven way to shape your thoughts, attitude and ultimately your reality.
What are affirmations exactly?
Affirmations are positive statements, often repeated numerous times throughout the day, that can help you stay motivated, overcome self-doubt, the all-too-well known negativity, boost confidence and set a positive state of mind for the day ahead. 
You can think of positive affirmations as a workout for your mind. If you exercise a move or a group of muscles, in this case, your brain, over and over again, sooner than later the move will become natural and you will be able to follow through the motions with ease. This is just as true for your brain, because your brain strengthens the connections between the neurons associated with a task, move or thought, every time you repeat the action. Luckily for you, your brain is just looking for ways to set you up for success and is eagerly awaiting the next command, you just have to task it to process positive affirmations.
Here is how to do it:
In order for affirmations to work, phrase them positively and in the present tense. That is the language our brains work with best. Even though we might be dwelling too much on the past or worrying about the future, our neurons fire only in the here and now, so commands in the present tense are most easily put into action. Close your eyes and see how you feel when you say these two things: “I am calm and at ease.” versus “I am not stressed.” What do you feel? Do you start to think about the past stress that you are trying to NOT feel?
Here are 36 positive affirmations that set you up for success:
- I am manifesting my desires.
- Today, I make magic.
- I believe in myself and my ability to succeed.
- Something wonderful is about to happen to me
- I choose happiness.
- My mind is open to the possibilities.
- I can do anything I put my mind to.
- I can handle anything that comes my way.
- Great strength lies within me.
- I have the courage to follow my dreams
- My dreams are far more important than my fears. I keep going no matter what.
- I am creating the life of my dreams.
- Whatever I put my mind to, I achieve.
- I am loved.
- I am determined.
- I follow my intuition.
- What I perceive I can achieve.
- I am grateful for what I already have and for all that I receive now.
- I am courageous.
- I am, and always will be, enough.
- I am a powerful creator. I am creating the life of my dreams.
- I can do this.
- I love my life.
- I love my job. I work with and for wonderful people.
- Wellness is the natural state of my body.
- I am powerful.
- Everything is possible.
- I am grateful for my life.
- I am amazing.
- I am capable.
- I find love everywhere in my life.
- I forgive myself for not being perfect.
- I am safe.
- I focus on the positive.
- I chose joy and ease every day.
- I am feeling exhilarated, agile and alive.
How to use them?
Now that your ideas are flowing and you might have already picked your favourite affirmations, how should you best use them? Keep them where you are reminded of them often:
- In your journal that you open in the morning before you get out of bed
- On your bathroom mirror
- As your background of your computer monitor
- On your phone’s screen
- Nicely framed on your favourite wall at home
- When you have to renew your passwords, pick a positive reminder
- As a bookmark
To radically change your life, go out and find the affirmations that speak the most to you and create constant reminders for yourself. Get my positive affirmations for your computer screen, bullet journal or poster for your home. Look at them as much as you can, just printing them once will not do the trick. “But I have them here in my book!” you might say. As with your goals and dreams, you need to take action and repeat YOUR positive affirmations daily. Just watch and see how your life will transform. If I can do it, you can do it too.
