Affirmations are positive statements that can help you challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts. When you repeat them out loud or to yourself often, and believe in them, they can help rewire your brain to think more positively and improve your self-image.

You might consider affirmations as "wishful thinking." But try looking at positive affirmations this way: many of us do exercises to improve our physical health, and affirmations are like exercises for your mind. These positive mental repetitions can reprogram our thinking patterns so that, over time, we begin to think and act differently.

There are lots of simple and effective uses for affirmations! You can use affirmations in any situation where you would like to see a positive change take place in your life. These might include times when you want to:

• Raise your confidence before presentations or important exams

• Control negative feelings such as frustration, anger, or impatience

• Improve your self-esteem

• Improve your productivity

• Overcome a bad habit

For example, maybe you have an interview or an exam coming up and you feel like you do not interview well, or you are worried you might fail. Naturally, you are going to be nervous, you might also be stressed or anxious. Try speaking and thinking positively about yourself and your best qualities before you leave for the interview or start the exam. This can help to calm your nerves, increase your mood and confidence, and will increase the likelihood that you will have a successful outcome.

Affirmations should generally be positive and spoken in the present tense with feeling and desire behind them. If you struggle with this to begin with, do your best and it will gradually become easier and more natural. Your affirmations should be realistic and achievable. If you cannot think of anything, try thinking of something that you are struggling with and use the opposite as your affirmation.

Here are some examples of affirmations as a guide:

• I am successful and happy

• I always complete my work and projects on time

• I am grateful for my job

• I enjoy studying this module

• I am bringing a positive attitude to class every day

• I am excellent and well suited to this course

Try to write your own affirmations using the guide above and repeat them often throughout the day - you will start to see the effects!

Written by: Kevin Cahill

Instagram: @kevincahill1994

Instagram: @mindsetmattersmagazine

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@Kevin Cahill

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