You may consider affirmations positive statements created for self-improvement. But did you know your words and thoughts are also affirmations? Your subconscious recognizes what you say and think and marks it for future reference. Hence, if you say you’re bad at drawing, or something else, the belief that it’s true develops.

Likewise, if you often focus on negativity, you’ll note more negative aspects of life. Adverse events won’t rise by themselves–it’s your perception that controls what you see. You’ll appreciate that this is true if you’ve ever purchased a new car. As if by magic, there seem to be so many more vehicles like yours on the road than before your purchase.

Your thoughts and words alter your perspective. Even if you repeat a negative idea in jest, your unconscious mind believes you. Indeed, new neural brain connections form to reinforce what you think and speak of most often.

How affirmations work

If your words, whether in your mind or spoken aloud, always reflect your beliefs, at least the messages they give to your subconscious will echo what’s true for you. Often, however, they represent your fears and assumptions or humor. They are soon-to-be beliefs rather than reality. Repeating them makes them concrete.

Whether you frequently insist you’re stupid after making a mistake, refer to yourself as old, or say it’s impossible to get what you want, you’ll soon be right. Your beliefs aren’t the same as facts, yet your subconscious mind doesn’t register the difference. It sees your words and thoughts as the truth.

When you create an affirmation deliberately, you are mindfully using positive language. You realize you want to craft beliefs that increase your joy and confidence. There’s a good chance you don’t construct your day-to-day thoughts and the things you say as carefully, however, and they could injure your self-esteem.

Generate wise thoughts and words

Your words influence what becomes true for you. They produce your experience of life with your perception. Your unconscious mind shows you what it considers real, so entertain thoughts and words that match the reality you prefer.

Never agree with pessimists or people who denigrate you. Rather, correct their misperceptions, or silently disagree if this isn’t possible. You need not accept disparagement. After all, it’s often spoken in haste and says more about the person who issues it than you.

If you catch yourself in the act of self-criticism, stop. Pause and reframe what you thought or said. Make self-talk and spoken words positive. Change old negative beliefs too, by overriding them with favorable assertions. Affirm you are valuable, attractive, and smart.

Refresh your memory about the importance of positive language with a daily mantra. “I speak only with love,” will do the trick. Inform your subconscious you need not accept disparagement and unhelpful criticism, too.

Other people’s words won’t become part of your psyche if you refrain from allowing them to infiltrate your mind. Tell close family and friends about your prudent word use, and they might join your quest for an improved mindset and positive communication.

Your words matter. They play a part in who you are and who you will become. They also influence your behavior since they affect whether you embrace possibilities or hide from challenges. Once you change the way you use language, and how you think, your life will alter for the better. You’ll feel positive, have greater self-esteem, and engage in positive communication.