To be effective, your affirmations should be constructed using the following nine guidelines:

1. Start with the words I am. The words I am are the two most powerful words in the language. The subconscious takes any sentence that starts with the words I am and interprets it as a command directive to make it happen.

2. Use the present tense. Describe what you want as though you already have it, as though it is already accomplished. [align=center]Wrong: I am going to get a new red Porsche 911 Carrera. Right: I am enjoying driving my new red Porsche 911 Carrera[/align].
3. State it in the positive. Affirm what you want, not what you don’t want. State your affirmations in the positive. The unconscious does not hear the word no. This means that the statement “Don’t slam the door” is heard as “Slam the door.” The unconscious thinks in pictures, and the words “Don’t slam the door evoke a picture of slamming the door. The phrase “I am no longer afraid of flying” evokes an image of being afraid of flying, while the phrase “I am enjoying the thrill of flying” evokes an image of enjoyment.
[align=center]Wrong: I am no longer afraid of flying.
Right: I am enjoying the thrill of flying.[/align]
4. Keep it brief. Think of your affirmation as an advertising jingle. Act as if each word costs $1,000. It needs to be short enough and memorable enough to be easily remembered.

5. Make it specific. Vague affirmations produce vague results.
[align=center]Wrong: I am driving my new red car.
Right: I am driving my new red Porsche 911 Carrera. [/align]
6. Include an action word ending with “-ing". The active verb adds power to the effect by evoking an image of doing it right now.
[align=center]Wrong: I express myself openly and honestly.
Right: I am confidently expressing myself openly and honestly. [/align]
7. Include at least one dynamic emotion or feeling word. Include the emotional state you would be feeling if you had already achieved the goal. Some commonly used words are enjoying, joyfully, happily, celebrating, proudly, calmly, peacefully, delighted, enthusiasm
[align=center]Wrong: I am maintaining my perfect body weight of 178 pounds.
Right: I am feeling agile and great at 178[/align]
Note that the last one has the ring of an advertising jingle. The subconscious loves rhythm and rhymes. That’s why we are able to more easily remember things such as “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me” and “I before E except after C, and when sounded like "A" as in neighbor and weigh.”
8. Make affirmations for yourself, not others. When you are constructing your affirmations, make them describe your behavior, not the behavior of others.
[align=center]Wrong: I am watching Johnny clean up his room.
Right: I am effectively communicating my needs and desires to Johnny [/align]
9. Add the words "or something better". When you are affirming getting a specific situation (job, opportunity, vacation), material object (house, car, boat), or relationship (husband, wife, child), always add the words “or something (someone) better.” Sometimes our criteria for what we want come from our ego or from our limited experience. Sometimes there is someone or something better that is available for us, so let your affirmations include this phrase when it is appropriate. Example: I am enjoying living in my beautiful beach front villa on the Ka’anapali coast of Maui or somewhere better.

[align=center]A SIMPLE WAY TO CREATE AFFIRMATIONS [/align]
1. Visualize what you would like to create. See things just as you would like them to be. Place yourself inside the picture and see things through your eyes. If you want a car, see the world from inside the car as you are driving it.

2. Hear the sounds you would be hearing if you had already achieved your vision.

3. Feel the feeling you want to feel when you have created what you want.

4. Describe what you are experiencing in a brief statement, including what you are feeling.

5 If necessary, edit your affirmation to make it meet all of the above guidelines.


[align=center]HOW TO USE AFFIRMATIONS AND VISUALIZATION![/align]

1. Review your affirmations one to three times a day. They are first thing in the morning, in the middle of the day to
yourself, and around bedtime.

2. If appropriate, read each affirmation out loud.

3. Close your eyes and visualize yourself as the affirmation ~ See it as if you were looking out at the scene from inside self. In other words, don’t see yourself standing outside the scene; see the scene as if you were actually living it.

4. Hear any sounds you might hear when you're successful, what your affirmation describes—the sound of the surf, ti the crowd, the playing of the national anthem. Include important people in your life congratulating you and how pleased they are with your success.

5. Feel the feelings that you will feel when you achieve that s stronger the feelings, the more powerful the process. (If you have difficulty creating the feelings, you can affirm “I am enjoying creating powerful feelings in my effective work with affirmation

6. Say your affirmation again, and then repeat this process next affirmation.


[align=center]OTHER WAYS TO USE AFFIRMATIONS[/align]


1. Post 3” x 5’ cards with your affirmations around your home.
2. Hang pictures of the things you want around your room. You can put a picture of yourself in the picture.
3. Repeat your affirmations during “wasted time” such as: waiting in line, exercising, and driving. You can repeat them silently
4. Record your affirmations and listen to them while you drive, or fall asleep. You can use endless loop tapes, or an i-Pod.
5. Have one of your parents record a tape of encouraging words you would like to have heard from them or words of encouragement or permission you would currently like to hear.
and permission you would currently like to hear.
6. Repeat your affirmations in the first person (“I am...) 2nd person (“You are . . .“), and third person (“He/she is . .)
7. Put your affirmations on your screen saver or desktop "wallpaper" and you'll see them every time you use your computer.

This information was taken from The Success Principles by Jack Canfield, Co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" Series