Twelve Tips for Designing and Using Affirmations

Here we go....


1. Affirmations need to be clear and to the point, so make sure the goals that the affirmations are growing out of are crystal clear and specific.


2. Now that you have clarity around your goals, check to see that the goals are a good fit for you before designing affirmations around them.


3. Look at your goals again. Who do you need to be in order to reach that goal? If your goals require you to become more outgoing, that would be a good place to start developing affirmations. Examples might be: "I enjoy getting to know new people in my life," and "I have a lot of value to offer the people I'm meeting."


4. As you design your affirmations, keep in mind what you personally need to hear to make it easier to reach your goals. The affirmations that your friend is successfully using may not resonate for you at all.


5. Don't share your goals and affirmations with negative people as they are developing. Their remarks may stall your progress or halt it altogether. Protect these seeds of your future accomplishments.


6. Always create your affirmations in the present tense. Don't start with, "Someday I will...." Your subconscious mind will always see those in the future, so you'll find them difficult to manifest.


7. Always state your affirmations in the positive, such as, "I enjoy excellent health." Statements such as "I don't want to be sick," will keep your subconscious mind focusing on sickness.


8. Have a plan in place for when limiting beliefs pop up while you're doing your affirmations. Consciously reverse those old beliefs, which transforms them into affirmations, too!


9. Does your environment reflect your intentions? It's hard to convince yourself that, "I'm in control of every aspect of my business," when you look in your office and see disorganized piles of papers cluttering every surface in the room.


10. Do your actions reflect your intentions? Are you scouting out the new clothes you'll buy when you lose weight? Can you imagine how you'll look and feel in them? Do you know where you'll most enjoy wearing them? (Whatever you do, don't berate yourself for not fitting into them yet!)


11. Use a multi-sensory approach to introducing new affirmations to your subconscious mind. You can write them, read them, listen to a recording of them, and make art about them!


12. Have respect for workings of the Universe that we can't see or comprehend. Leave the timing and the details of exactly "how" things will manifest to these unseen forces. They are your co-creating partners!

To your success,
Susan

P.S. I was interviewed this week by Davette Harvey on Blogtalk Radio! Davette and I had great fun recording it. Please check it out at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/amenique-radio/2009/11/17/empowerment-zone !

P.P.S. Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up your complimentary intro session or telesession with me! Check back over my last several posts for examples of possible formats...or just come with what's on your mind!

P.P.P.S. to Locals:

Santa's Secret Workshop

An easy, pleasant way to get some of your holiday shopping done!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at 6:30 pm

Hosted by McCormick Chiropractic in Pottstown

Admission is free, but you must register with our host at 610-705-0201.

I'll have gift items and gift certificates for coaching and Reiki available there!

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***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

***Member of the TriCounty Community Network, a non-profit human services resource at www.tcnetwork.info.***

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Tailor Your Resolutions to Your Lifestyle

Here's my recipe for Creative Resolutions:

C
Create mental imagery of what your life will be like after the goal is completed.
Example: My goal is to write a book, so I'm imagining good questions and supportive comments from comments via email, on this blog, and in person! I also have an image of the cover of the book, of which I'm going to make a mock-up so can I see and touch it every day.

R
Revise your plan when it's truly needed, but be honest with yourself here.
Example: I'm estimating that it will take two years to write my book, but books often take on a life of their own. I may have to adjust that expectation.


E
Set your intention each day for the next step in the process.
Example: A typical daily intention for my book might be to work on it for a minimum of 30 minutes. I often do more, but this way it moves forward, and still feels doable.


A
Set up an accountability system for yourself.
Example: I'm doing this right now by saying here that I'm writing a book. If a reader asks me in 6 months, "How's the book coming along?", I want to be proud of my answer! I also have a one-on-one buddy, who, like me, is writing a book while she has lots of other things going on. When I know I have to give her an update in an hour, it really helps me stay focused!

T
"The work will teach you how to do it." --Estonian Proverb
Example: As I mentioned above, projects do tend to take on lives of their own. I'm just following my book down the rabbit hole. I'm not concerned about how it's going to come together. I just trust that it will.

I
List the improvements that your project will make in your life and the lives of others.
Example: This list will keep me motivated for the long haul, and it will also serve as a list of intentions for the book.


V
Track your goals visually.
Example: I keep a chart of how many hours a day (and week) that I spend on the book. When the chapter titles start to take shape, I can also track which ones are complete. This may sound too simple to help, but it does!

E
Evaluate obstacles and make plans for overcoming them.
Example: One of my obstacles might be feeling overwhelmed, so I have the 30-minute
minimum in place. Another is setting aside the time. My accountability buddy helps greatly with this!


~~~~


R
Is the timing right for your project?
Example: For my book, the timing feels right intuitively, and I've been collecting material for it for 7 years.


E
As Laura Howard West would say, it's "easy, natural, and fun"? Check this out at
http://www.joyfulmarketing.com/.
Example: My book project does feel "easy, natural, and fun." I'm letting it develop organically, and it doesn't even feel like work! (At least not yet!) :-)

S
State a specific desired outcome.
Example: Since I'm letting the book take the lead, this can be a little tricky. This is where the list of desired improvements for others and myself will come in handy. Another way around this is to state your intentions, and follow them with, "or something better!"

O
Get help from others.
Example: My accountability buddy and other friends are cheering me on. Another option for me would be to assemble an R&D team for some helpful feedback on the book.


L
Look ahead. Will this goal help to propel you toward the future you want?
Example: My book will contribute greatly to the future I'm planning. Looking at the big picture, I see that the book fits beautifully with the other things I'm developing!


U
Pick a goal that "U" really want. (No posturing or "it'll look good" goals, please!)
Example: My book topic has grown out of my own interests and not from trying to figure out what the "market" will want in a few years.


T
Set a target completion date.
Example: I've set a two-year completion date to give myself some structure, even though it may have to be changed as the book progresses.


I
What will this project do for your integrity? Will it move you closer to wholeness?
Example: I'm eager to see how my book will turn out, because it will synthesize a lot of what I've learned and experienced over the last 20 years!


O
Is your project on target with your values?
Example: The values I have around creativity and being of service will be woven securely into my book.


N
Break your project down into non-threatening small steps.
Example: For 7 years, I threw interesting bits of information and quotes into my "book box." It's a habit that has served me well, and there is almost no risk involved. (Unless you have a fear of success! ) :-) Now, my 30-minute minimum keeps my fear level down.

S
Don't forget about self-care. Creativity is a holistic process, and all aspects of your being need to be as unencumbered as possible.
Example: In the past I neglected my self-care, and my creativity packed up and left until I changed my ways. What a joy to have it flowing freely again!


Wishing you a productive year in 2008,
Susan

P.S. Being coached was a huge help in getting me to this point. Do you need some support around these topics? Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for a complimentary coaching tele-session!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***