This week I taught a class titled “What You Say is What You Get” which is step two of the Six Steps From Sabotage to Success.
In my book From Sabotage to Success, I warn against using affirmations as a “fix” or “cover up” for what IS (see page 89 – Keeping Things Realistic and page 90 – Affirmations and Avoidance). Since publishing the book, I’ve spent more and more time doing personal and professional research and I can’t emphasize strongly enough that affirmations alone will not work if there is emotional blockage or if there are subconscious beliefs that negate the affirmation.
It is important in the process of using affirmations to be honest about what IS and not to use affirmations as a way to “will” or “force” things to change. In fact, sometimes using affirmations will bring up subconscious material that needs to be dealt with before you can move forward (see page 94 – Using Affirmations as a Learning Tool). If you insist on “only thinking positive” or if you use affirmations to deny what IS you actually delay your results.
It takes a tremendous amount of mental and physical activity to keep the uncomfortable, subconscious matter below the conscious level. However, when you are able to acknowledge that it exists and take the steps necessary to clear it, you can be freer as a result. In some cases, you can free yourself from negative patterns permanently simply by being willing to face them. Running away keeps the “boogey man” alive, turning around and facing him puts the power back in your hands, where it belongs.
What’s been your experience with affirmations? Have you used them but came to the conclusion that they “don’t work”? Were you mindful of your emotional response to the affirmations? Were you doing the affirmations with a sense of stress or urgency or did you feel good about it and go with the flow? All of these factors and more will determine the success you have when using affirmations.
To learn more about using affirmations to overcome self-sabotage, purchase the book From Sabotage to Success.
Here are some affirmations to help you combat resistance:
“Growing and changing is exciting, even if I have to look at some painful things inside me in order to do it.”
“When one door closes, another door opens. I know I can become more of who I am.”
“I am willing to drop old concepts when they no longer work for me.”
“I am willing to honestly look at the way I do things and say, ‘I don’t want to do that anymore.’ I am willing to change.”
“I am free from the limitations of the past. I am free to go forward.”
“I am willing to release the pattern within me that is creating this condition.”
“I transform fear and anxiety into excitement and enthusiasm, I look forward to charting new ground.”
To learn about a powerful, meditative process that will help you create awareness and break subconscious habits, get your free demo CD from Holosych.
